Jason Steele handed surprise England call-up for Uruguay and Japan friendlies | OneFootball

Jason Steele has received a surprise call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man England squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan later this month.

The FA said in a statement that the selection raises 'the prospect of him joining the World Cup squad as a training goalkeeper during the summer'.

Born in Newton Aycliffe, the former Sunderland and Middlesbrough goalkeeper joined the Black Cats from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2017 after relegation under David Moyes. He started the first four league matches under Simon Grayson and made 18 appearances in all competitions.

That season ended in a second successive relegation, dropping Sunderland into the third tier for only the second time in their history. Steele departed before the following campaign, joining Brighton and Hove Albion on a free transfer.

He has since made more than 60 appearances for the Seagulls and featured in their 2023/24 Europa League campaign. Despite not playing a Premier League match this season, the 35-year-old has earned a first senior England call-up after caps at youth level.

Source: Sunderland Echo