Gareth’s carry-on to Qatar

GARETH SOUTHGATE will today sign up to lead England into the next World Cup in Qatar, with talks over a new four-year contract worth £3m a year all but complete.

Lawyers will check over the final details at St George’s Park so that Southgate’s commitment for a further two years can be announced at 2pm along with his squad selection for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.

The FA have been keen to renegotiate Southgate’s current deal, which runs until Euro 2020, ever since England reached the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Southgate had seemed reluctant to make that commitment.

And with the departure of Dan Ashworth as technical director set for the New Year, there was a danger that the momentum the pair had made with the national team set-up at all levels could be lost without continuity.

However, hands have been shaken on an offer that will see Southgate’s pay go up by two-thirds ahead of the Nations League group games.

A number of injuries, particularly in midfielder, could mean Southgate turning to some younger talent, such as James Maddison.

Otherwise, with Adam Lallana and Dele Alli injured, Tottenham’s Harry Winks and Chelsea’s Ross Barkley will be hoping recent appearances for their clubs will have been enough to persuade Southgate to consider a recall.