Bellingham back in England fold

TUCHEL WON'T RULE OUT EXTENDING CONTRACT

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ENGLAND boss Thomas Tuchel said Jude Bellingham proved he “has to be in the squad” after being handed a recall for next week's World Cup qualifiers.

Bellingham is back involved for games against Serbia and Albania after the German boldly overlooked the midfielder for last month’s meetup due to a lack of rhythm and a desire to keep faith with those who impressed in September.

It led Tuchel, who also recalled Manchester City’s Phil Foden, to face questions over their relationship and the personality of a player he apologised to after saying in a June interview that his mother finds some of his on-field antics “repulsive”.

Bellingham has done his talking on the pitch for Real Madrid and Tuchel praised the 22-year-old’s reaction to being left out.

“There was a decision to be made. (Jude) accepted the decision, and he did what he does best,’ said Tuchel, who also called up uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

“He competed on the highest level, and he showed that he deserves and has to be in the squad.