LAST CALL FOR
England’s stars have 90 mins to book their flight
ENGLAND players have been warned they have just 90 minutes to book their place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup plans. Southgate is set to name his 23-man squad for Russia before the final warm-up friendlies with Nigeria and Costa Rica in June, meaning tomorrow’s clash with Italy is crunch time, with several big names sweating on their chances. The Three Lions boss wants his players to know who is going to Russia before the
friendly games on June 2 and June 7, and would rather name players on standby than delay his squad.
That could be bad news for Adam Lallana, who has been hampered by injury this season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken to Southgate and is anxious for Lallana to play at Wembley tomorrow to help his fitness. Southgate sees Lallana as one of his most important players and is keen to take him, but his fitness is a real worry.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose is another big name whose place is under threat because he has not been playing regularly at club level. Ryan Bertrand appears to be ahead of him but it is Ashley Young who is in pole position to start at left-back in the World Cup.
Southgate is also likely to make decisions on Kieran Trippier, Alex OxladeChamberlain, Danny Welbeck, James Tarkowski and Alfie Mawson after the Italy game.
The England boss will wait on Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who could even be a World Cup starter if he proves his fitness while on loan at Crystal Palace.