IT’S NOT HEND OF THE LINE

GARETH SOUTHGATE has offered assurances to Jordan Henderson after leaving the Liverpool skipper out of his squad, but admitted Tyrone Mings has fallen down the pecking order.

England manager Southgate is giving Henderson a break at the end of the Reds’ gruelling season and has made it clear that he still views him as part of his World Cup plans.

But Aston Villa captain Mings (right) was a surprise omission from the 27-man squad, even though there are defensive injury concerns which is a reflection of the centrehalf’s disappointing season.

Southgate (top, with Henderson), who has called up AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori and also kept faith with Marc Guehi despite his ankle injury, said: “We talked in March about wanting to look at some of the younger centre-backs coming through.

“Those guys have had very good seasons and are slightly ahead of Tyrone, who has always been excellent for us.

“Those are always difficult calls. We have a sense of loyalty to players that have done well but also we have to make opportunities for young players.

“We’ve got a few doubts. It’s a bit of a minefield in terms of players coming back from injury. Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell haven’t played anything at all really. That is a bit complicated. Marc Guehi is a doubt I have to say.

“Fikayo has a good season with Milan.

“Hendo has had 60 plus games this season, he’s going into a Champions League final.

“He’s 31 years old. I don’t need to know any more about him.

“Everyone else is getting a week off now.

Him and Trent AlexanderArnold are still going. “Trent will probably be with us for the first part of camp. And then we think that will be enough for him.”

There is also a first call-up for Leicester’s versatile full-back James Justin who can play on the right or left.