SOUTHGATE’S WORLD CUP LIFELINE FOR WILSHERE

GARETH SOUTHGATE has not written off Jack Wilshere (below) as he prepares to name his World Cup squad. The Arsenal midfielder should be in the England manager’s provisional 35-man party for Russia, and Southgate is also considering a call-up for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, 19. Wilshere’s hopes of going to the World Cup seemed over in the last international break, when he suffered a knee injury, raising further doubts over his fitness. But Wilshere’s performance levels have soared in recent weeks and Southgate is ready to name him in the England squad he must submit to FIFA by Monday. Alexander-Arnold, who was called up to train with the seniors during the last international break, is being monitored amid concerns over Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier, who limped off against Newcastle on Wednesday with a thigh problem. ARSENAL will offer former goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, 48, a role in their new-look coaching team next season.