Connor returns in McDermott's first England squad

Jake Connor has been called a "game-breaker" by Brian McDermott

England coach Brian McDermott has picked 10 uncapped players in an expanded 38-man performance squad before this year's World Cup - andMan of Steel Jake Connorhas also been recalled.

Connor, 31, has not played for England for seven years. was controversially left out of Shaun Wane's squad for last autumn's Ashes home series against Australia, which England lost 3-0.

Wane stepped down in January, with former Leeds head coach McDermott, 56, taking over until the end of the World Cup, which will be staged in Australia, New Zealand. Papua New Guinea this October and November.

The new faces in his first selection include Wakefield Trinity duo Jake Trueman. Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Wigan pair Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR second-row Dean Hadley plus St Helens centre Harry Robertson.

McDermott said: "I've enjoyed the process of looking throughout Super League. the NRL for players who could potentially play for England in the 2026 World Cup.

"It is clear there is a raft of talent available at our disposal. it's encouraging to see the sort of player who could be lining up for us in a few months' time.

"Obviously. this is still just the first group of players we've selected: there is still plenty of opportunity for others to play their way into contention before the World Cup squad is announced."

England are yet to win the World Cup and werebeaten by Samoain the semi-finals in 2022.

Nsemba. Havard, Thompson, Walters, O'Neill, Wardle, H Smith, Eckersley (all Wigan Warriors), Watkins, Oledzki, Handley, Connor (all Leeds Rhinos), Currie, Walker, Williams, Ashton (all Warrington Wolves), Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Hadley, Litten, Lewis (all Hull KR), Smithies, J Brailey (both Canberra Raiders), Radley, B Smith (both Sydney Roosters), Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Welsby, Walmsley, Clark, Robertson (all St Helens), Knowles, Farnworth (both Dolphins), McMeeken, Hamlin-Uele, Trueman, Johnstone (all Wakefield), King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Young (Newcastle Knights).