Brentford striker Ivan Toney was handed an immediate England recall on Thursday after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules. Toney returned to action in January and has four goals in nine games. England coach Gareth Southgate included the forward in his squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium this month. Toney was banned last May after breaching 232 English Football Association betting rules and also fined 50,000 pounds ($62,000). Moussa Diaby Recalled to France Squad for UEFA Euro 2024 Warmups Against Germany and Chile.

An independent commission said the punishment could have been worse if he had not been diagnosed with a gambling addiction. Among a “substantial number of breaches,” its report said some of Toney's bets could have resulted in the maximum punishment of a lifetime ban. Toney played for the first time this season on Jan. 20 and scored in Brentford's 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

It is almost exactly a year since his last England appearance, a 2-0 win against Ukraine in a European Championship qualifier. Also with a shot of making Southgate's squad for the European Championship in Germany this summer were Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon after their first summons. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann Shakes Up Squad Before Euro 2024 with Six New Faces, Tony Kroos Recalled.

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez was called up for the first time since 2020.

England plays Brazil on March 23 and Belgium on March 26. Both games are at Wembley Stadium.

England:

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite, Ben Chilwell, Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Declan Rice.

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins .

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