England squad for World Cup 2018: The 23-man roster that Gareth Southgate could take to Russia

England coach claims ‘19 or 20’ places in his 23-man World Cup squad are already decided and here Standard Sport’s James Olley assesses who might be in
Man with the plan | Southgate will name his 23-man squad before England's next match
Rex Features
James Olley28 March 2018

Gareth Southgate will now not see anyone in an England shirt until he names his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in Russia.

He told Standard Sport after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Italy at Wembley Stadium that “19 or 20” places are nailed down, barring injuries, minimising the possibilities for those involved in a late scramble to make the travelling party as the Premier League returns for the final six weeks of the domestic season.

Here we take a look at those players most likely to be certain of a place on the plane, those currently stuck in limbo and the rest fearful of missing out entirely…

The Leading Men

Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Joe Hart, Kyle Walker, Eric Dier, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli, Marcus Rashford, Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Harry Maguire

It says plenty about the fight to be England’s No1 goalkeeper that one solid performance is enough to put Jordan Pickford in front of the rest but that is where he finds himself after an encouraging performance in the 1-0 victory against Holland.

Jack Butland will travel as principal back-up while Joe Hart’s experience will be a useful asset to call on. Some managers tend to favour a youthful No3 as part of a long-term learning curve but with Pickford and Butland boasting just nine caps between them, Hart’s role behind the scenes could prove useful to Southgate.

Kyle Walker seems likely to start on the right side of Southgate’s three-man defence, with John Stones his preferred option in the middle.

Eric Dier will go as a midfielder but can deputise at centre-back, while Kieran Trippier is now first-choice right wing-back.

The pecking order is less clear on the opposite flank but Ashley Young is arguably now in pole position, given Danny Rose is struggling for regular minutes at Tottenham. However, Rose is trusted by Southgate and looks likely to get the nod.

Jordan Henderson is one of Southgate’s midfield generals, while Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy all underlined their credentials in the last two games to seal their places in the squad.

Dele Alli’s place in the team looks uncertain after failing to start both games but his quality and potential will earn him a spot, in addition to the understanding with Harry Kane regularly on show at Spurs.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s run in central midfield at Liverpool — combined with former Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere’s latest injury setback — gave him an opportunity he seized.

Southgate cited the evolution in Harry Maguire’s game in recent months and seemingly believes he is ready for a major international tournament despite earning just four caps.

The Supporting Cast

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Adam Lallana, Phil Jones, Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Joe Gomez, James Tarkowski, Ryan Bertrand

Southgate has previously waxed lyrical about Adam Lallana and despite the Liverpool midfielder’s lack of game-time, he seems likely to travel to Russia if featuring regularly in the domestic run-in.

There were also notable namechecks from Southgate this week for several absentees, including Phil Jones, Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, whose creativity in a central position for England last November still lingers in the memory.

Joe Gomez may have secured his place had he not been forced off early on against Holland with an injury but Southgate remains a fan of the Liverpool player, although he singled out James Tarkowski for praise last night despite conceding a penalty, awarded after a VAR review, for a foul on Federico Chiesa.

Ryan Bertrand is in contention but a dip in form individually and collectively - combined with an untimely back injury - leaves him requiring a late change of heart from Southgate or an injury to either Young or Rose.

The Extra

Photo: Rex Features
Rex Features

Jack Wilshere, Alfie Mawson, Lewis Cook, Nick Pope, Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill, Harry Winks, Jake Livermore, Danny Welbeck, Tammy Abraham, Michael Keane, Luke Shaw, Tom Heaton, Danniel Sturridge, Jermaine Defoe

Wilshere would be devastated to miss out but a knee injury was a hammer blow to his chances. He must hope for the best, given he is yet to play a minute under Southgate. Alfie Mawson earned his first call-up but, as with Lewis Cook and probably Nick Pope, Russia has come too soon.

Experience has not aided the causes of centre-backs Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill, however. Smalling has performed well at Manchester United but Southgate remains critical of his use of the ball, while Cahill faces a fight to earn back his place for Chelsea.

Harry Winks has not played a League game for Spurs since December 16, while Jake Livermore’s race looks run, having played twice in November only to be left on the sidelines in both March games.

Danny Welbeck is also unlikely to play regularly enough for Arsenal but he is ahead of Tammy Abraham, while Michael Keane is out of form and Luke Shaw and Tom Heaton are suffering from a lack of game-time at club level.

Daniel Sturridge’s latest injury and Jermain Defoe’s age have surely ruled them out of convincing Southgate to take a fourth conventional striker.

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