AXEMAN GARETH

Southgate dumps big name stars and calls up his new kids

GARETH SOUTHGATE took the axe to his England squad yesterday in a series of brutal phone calls.

Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jermain Defoe and Chris Smalling were all dumped by boss Southgate.

Jack Wilshere, Jake Livermore, Fraser

Forster and Aaron Cresswell also missed out as Southgate began his World Cup revolution by calling up youngsters for the friendlies with Germany and Brazil.

Southgate warned that no one could take their place in the World Cup squad for granted.

He said: “The speed of development of some of our young players and progress is eye-catching and I don’t think anybody can sit and safely think they’re going to be involved next summer.

“In every position on the field there’s really strong competition. So if I had to do it tomorrow I know who I’d take, over the next six months that could evolve drastically.”

It was the boldest selection Southgate has made since he was put in charge just over a year ago – and he insisted more big names could follow.

The former Under-21 boss was particularly cutting about Smalling after telling him he wants to play out from the back and said he believes Eric Dier, Harry Maguire and John Stones are all better.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was also left devastated.