GARETH EYES UNCAPPED TRIO
Mainoo, Reed and Garner on England boss’s radar in midfield as fears grow over Phillips’ poor form
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate is closely following the performances of three uncapped midfielders amid concerns over the form of Kalvin Phillips.
Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo, Everton’s James Garner and Fulham’s Harrison Reed are being monitored ahead of next month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
West Ham’s James Ward-Prowse also remains on Southgate’s radar almost two years after winning the last of his 11 caps.
Southgate has kept faith with Phillips all season despite his lack of game-time for Manchester City and the 28-year-old remains a key part of the manager’s plans, but his performances since joining West Ham on loan last month are a cause for concern.
An error three minutes into his debut gifted Bournemouth a goal and he was dropped for their next game against Manchester United. Phillips was booked after coming on at half-time in West Ham’s 6-0 thrashing by Arsenal before being sent off in Saturday’s defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Southgate named Phillips as one of four holding midfielders in his most recent squad last November along with Declan Rice, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson, but is also looking at other options in an area where England are not blessed with strength in depth.
Alexander-Arnold’s availability for next month’s friendlies is not guaranteed due to the knee injury that has led to him being ruled out of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Southgate’s limited options could be good news for Henderson, who seems certain to be retained in the squad despite being booed by England fans on his last two appearances at Wembley, against Australia and Malta.
The 33-year-old was singled out for criticism by a section of fans for alleged hypocrisy in moving to Saudi Arabia having previously campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights, but returned to Europe last month and has started four matches in a row for his new club Ajax.
Southgate has little time to experiment, as the Brazil and Belgium fixtures are England’s last games before the manager names his squad for the European Championship in Germany.
Mainoo is in line to be called up by England Under 21 manager Lee Carsley for next month’s European
Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, rather than making the senior squad, and Garner and Reed are regarded as back-up options for Southgate at this stage.
Southgate is also concerned about his goalkeeping options behind Jordan Pickford. Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone are not playing regularly for Arsenal and Crystal Palace respectively and Nick Pope is out until the end of next month at the earliest with a dislocated shoulder.
Dean Henderson and James Trafford are playing for Palace and Burnley respectively but both have had difficult seasons, which has left Southgate considering a shock recall after nearly five years for Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.