The England squad has been photographed looking upbeat ahead of new manager Lee Carsley’s first match in charge against the Republic of Ireland.

Arriving at the team’s camp in Burton-on-Trent, stars such as Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish, who was recalled after missing Euro 2024, smiled as they prepared for an early-season international break.

Carsley, who was appointed last month, will make his Three Lions debut at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night in a Nations League match.

His first home encounter, against Finland three days later at Wembley Stadium, promises to be a little less rowdy.

And his charges have been observed arriving at St George’s Park this afternoon with luggage and washbags ahead of training for the two key games, with many wanting to become early favourites of the new manager.

+16View gallery

The England squad, including recalled Jack Grealish, have been pictured looking in good spirits ahead of new manager Lee Carsley’s first match in charge

+16View gallery

Arsenal’s Saka meanwhile is typically pictured with a beaming smile and today was no different

+16View gallery

Carsley, who was appointed last month, will makes his Three Lions bow at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in a Nations League clash on Saturday night

+16View gallery

Newer faces including Newcastle’s Tino Livramento also looked delighted to be there

Arsenal’s Saka, on the other hand, is frequently photographed with a beaming smile, and today was no exception as the winger brought four bags into the Burton training camp following a strong first three matches this season, including a goal versus Wolves.

Newer faces such as Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, Lille’s Angel Gomes, Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and City’s Rico Lewis were happy to be there as they stepped out of flashy 4x4s and sports vehicles and entered the premises.

Incredibly, six players from this month’s team played for Carsley’s under-21 side, which won the 2023 Euros with a 1-0 victory over Spain.

Gibbs-White, Gomes, and Madueke, along with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, all appeared for the Three Lions that day.

And, with the majority of England’s stars dressed in fancy attire and carrying name-brand bags, Gordon’s decision to carry his clothes in a black garbage bag stood apart from his teammates.

Marcus Rashford and Kyle Walker were among the most glaring absences from Carsley’s initial England squad selection for the forthcoming Nations League matches.

+16View gallery

Lille’s Angel Gomes is one of six players chosen in this month’s squad who featured in the under-21 side, coached by Carsley, which won the 2023 Euros

+16View gallery

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who has continued his electric form, was also in that side

+16View gallery

Man City’s Rico Lewis, pictured getting out of a swish 4×4, got a recall

+16View gallery

Chelseas’s Noni Madueke was reunited with Carsley after being part of the under-21 Euro side

+16View gallery

Gordon’s approach of carrying his garments in a black bin bag provided a sharp contrast with that of his teammates

+16View gallery

Chelsea’s Levi Colwill also knows Carsley from his youth team days