Ben White asked not to be contacted by England, Lee Carsley confirms | OneFootball

The interim head coach has not missed the right-back

The Arsenal defender has not been selected for a Three Lions squad since leaving the 2022 World Cup camp midway through the tournament due to "personal reasons."

White has since progressed into one of the Premier League's better right-backs but has remained steadfast in his desire to not play for his country.

Speaking last month when announcing his first squad as interim manager, Carsley said: "I've seen in some of the press reports that [White] was open to [returning], but it's gone no further.

Ben White has four caps for England

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

"So, as far as I'm aware, he wasn't available for selection. Nothing's changed in my two weeks of being here."

Carsley has gone on to win his first two games in charge, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold among his most impressive performers.

Asked on Tuesday night for an update on White, Carsley said he has no plans to talk to White before the next squad announcement.

"I’ve not planned to [speak to White], no," he told reporters. "We spoke about this in the squad selection. Every player that’s eligible to play for England is in with a chance.

"As far as I’m aware, he has asked to be not contacted.”

Asked if the onus was on White to return to the fold, Carsley said: “Yeah. It’s important we have real competition all over the pitch and the more competition we have available to pick from, the better it is."