PICKFORD No 1

GARETH SOUTHGATE last night dropped another big hint that Jordan Pickford will travel to the World Cup as England’s first-choice goalkeeper. Southgate has named the Everton player, left, as his No1 in the official squad numbers released by FIFA yesterday ahead of the start of the finals in Russia next week. The news came 48 hours after Southgate opted for Pickford, 24, ahead of his main rival Jack Butland for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Nigeria at Wembley in the first of two warm-up games.

Pickford produced an assured performance in a side

that was close to being Southgate’s starting XI for their Group G opener against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18.

Southgate praised Pickford afterwards, saying: “There was a bit of a statement with the selection of Jordan. His decision-making was good, although he was rarely tested.”

But his decision to go for the former Sunderland player ahead of Butland is still a brave call considering he will be one of the most inexperienced keepers at the tournament. The Nigeria game was only Pickford’s third senior cap and he has still to play a competitive game for England, although he made a combined 50 appearances for the age-group teams from the Under 16s through to the Under 21s, in which he played under Southgate.

The manager has shown he is not afraid to make bold decisions since taking charge of the senior side in 2016.

He eased record goalscorer and former captain Wayne Rooney out of the picture before the former Manchester United striker decided to call time on his England career.

Southgate also axed Joe Hart from his 23-man World Cup squad and chose to take Burnley’s uncapped Nick Pope instead.

It is understood Southgate believes Pickford has better footwork and is more agile than Stoke stopper Butland who has been handed the No 13 shirt while the third-choice keeper Pope has been given No 23. As expected, skipper Harry Kane will wear the iconic No 9 shirt while Raheem Sterling – Kane’s strike partner against Nigeria – is No 10. Dele Alli has No 20 – the shirt he wears for Tottenham – but is still expected to make Southgate’s starting line-up.

The squad trained at St George’s Park yesterday ahead of Thursday’s final warm-up game against Costa Rica at Elland Road.