DAM BUSTERS
Pickford in No.1 slot and Wilshere crocked as World Cup hopefuls start two-game audition
GARETH SOUTHGATE has told his England players they have two games to win World Cup places.
The Three Lions boss hinted that Everton keeper Jordan Pickford is in pole position to be his No.1, but warned that time is running out for Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal midfielder, who has not played for England since Euro 2016, did not travel to Holland after a knee injury flared up, but Pickford, 24, will get his audition against the Dutch.
Southgate wants his squad to fall into place after the friendlies against Holland tonight and Italy on Tuesday, as he decides on the 23 players he will take to Russia for this summer’s tournament.
Wilshere, 26, could be fit in time to face Italy, and Southgate said: “It’s certainly not an ideal situation for Jack. But there’s a bigger picture.
“He’s still a young player who has come back from serious injuries. His progress over the last year has been notable. There’s a longer future for Jack that’s just as important as what happens over the next few months.
“Of course we would want a player of his talent available and fit, but he has had to overcome injuries and we have to have sympathy with that.
“With the goalkeeping situation, it is of comfort to prepare and know a few days out from the game.
“He’s known a few days before everyone else, but it’s a very tight call. So form is also important. “All the goalkeepers have different strengths.
“But the prerequisite is keeping the ball out of the net, so that has to be heavily weighted. We’ve spoken about our defenders and how we want to play, but we’ve seen at Manchester City that the goalkeeper is important with that as well.”
Southgate will use a back three against Holland and he will stick to that formation come what may.
But what could be changeable is whether it is a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 system.
The latter formation allows him to get a partner for striker Harry Kane and more in midfield.
But Southgate sent a clear message to the fringe players – the likes of Joe Gomez (above), James Tarkowski and Alfie Mawson – that they can nail down places in his squad.
Southgate added: “We are really intrigued to see which players step forward and claim the spots, really. It’s an exciting period. “We’re seeing players – like the defenders we’ve brought in this week – settle in no problem and play out from the back comfortably.
“Lewis Cook looks totally at ease in the squad. So it’s not a concern. “It’s how far can we go, and who can be the best players? You have to choose those who can perform in the summer. “I think there’s a process with what the players do with us and what they do with their clubs. We can’t separate the two.
“When I’m selecting a squad at the moment I have to bear in mind how players have shown up in international matches: Joe Gomez, what he did in November, is always in our mind where he’s not necessarily played much for Liverpool or in that position.
“Club form has to play a part in that as well, and key players have to play well between now and the end of the season.
“But it’s exciting what we can do over the next few years as a team.
“I’ve not brought anyone into this squad to make up numbers.
“Everyone here has a serious opportunity to go to the World Cup.”