IN-FORM PALMER EARNS HIS FIRST ENGLAND CALL-UP

COLE PROMOTED FROM U-21s AFTER STARRING IN CITY THRILLER, WHILE KONSA AND LEWIS ALSO JOIN SQUAD

- Dan Kilpatrick

CHELSEA'S Cole Palmer this morning capped a superb 24 hours with a call-up to the England squad for the first time.

Palmer, whose stoppage-time equaliser from the penalty spot earned Chelsea a 4-4 draw against his former club Manchester City last night, was promoted from the Under-21s.

City's Rico Lewis and Ezri Konza, of Aston Villa, also earned maiden senior call-ups, following the withdrawals of James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson, while Jude Bellingham was also expected to be ruled out today once he had been assessed by England medical staff.

Palmer initially missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, despite his excellent form, but injuries have opened the door for the 21-year-old.