'Just draw a line under it' - Campbell wants England to bring White back

Image source, Getty Images

  • Author, Nizaar Kinsella
  • Role, 大象传媒 Sport football news reporter

Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell has called on Lee Carsley to resolve Ben White's exile from international football.

The interim manager said after wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland that the 26-year-old defender has "asked not to be contacted" by England and has not made a Three Lions squad since leaving Gareth Southgate's World Cup camp in 2022.

When asked about England at the Thinking Football Summit, Campbell was in support of Carsley to get the job on a permanent basis, but said reintegrating White should be a priority.

He said: "He is one of the best right-backs around and it should be about how you can integrate him. How do you bridge the gap with the fans and patch that up?

"Yes, they may already be winning but White is playing top football.

"Deep down, he must want to play for England but obviously something happened before. If you allow things to drag on from the old management to the new management then that's not the best way to do it.

"Just draw a line under it. He is a top player and you want the best players to play for England."