JACK’S BACK FOR ENGLAND!
JACK WILSHERE will be given a chance to stake a claim for a World Cup spot when Gareth Southgate names his latest England squad today. The Arsenal midfielder is expected to be named in Southgate’s squad for friendlies against Holland in Amsterdam a week on Friday and Italy at Wembley on Tuesday March 27. Wilshere hasn’t played for England since the Euro 2016 defeat by Iceland, while Southgate has not selected the midfielder since being made permanent manager of the national team in November 2016. Southgate insisted Wilshere’s omission was due to the fact that he was not playing regularly for Arsenal. But having won back his first-team place, Southgate is poised to recall the 26-year-old to his squad as he finalises his plans for Russia 2018. Meanwhile, Southgate was handed a boost as he discovered Harry Kane (below) will be fit for the World Cup, with the forward set to return to action in April. Tottenham confirmed the striker will miss the rest of March after damaging ankle ligaments in Sunday’s win over Bournemouth. The news comes as a huge relief to Southgate, with Kane certain to play a role in Tottenham’s run-in, which will ensure he is fully fit going into the tournament. In the absence of Kane and Daniel Sturridge, and amid fears over Danny Welbeck’s fitness, Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to be handed his first senior call-up. Burnley pair Nick Pope and James Tarkowski, who is also a target for Poland, are hopeful of earning their first senior call-ups. Ashley Young is expected to keep his place in the squad after impressing Southgate playing in an unfamiliar left-back role for Manchester United this season.