Some call-ups lucky, insists Southgate

Gareth Southgate admits that his latest England squad contains players who are lucky to be selected.

Southgate named a 26-man squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania but was lukewarm about the strength of the group at his disposal.

Injuries have deprived the Three Lions of an entire team’s worth of talent, including the likes of Danny Rose, Adam Lallana, Danny Welbeck and Jamie Vardy, and the result is call-ups for individuals Southgate may otherwise have stood down.

“If you were to say ‘am I entirely happy with the squad I’ve named?’ then no, because we’ve got too many good players missing with injury,” he said.

“The consequence of that is you could well argue there are one or two in the squad who haven’t necessarily warranted it on their performances. I want competition for places and this time maybe we’ve not be able to achieve that because of the number of injuries.

“There’s been a couple of easy decisions because I haven’t had to make phone calls this week (to tell players they have been dropped). They are always difficult but I’d rather be making them.”

Southgate tactfully declined to name those he considered fortunate to be involved, but Fabian Delph and Jesse Lingard, who have yet to start a Premier League this season, appear to fit the profile, while Liverpool pair Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge have yet to reach their best form.

Southgate said: “There’s a good challenge for those who are in next week because if they want to stay in the level has to be good.”

Phil Jones and Michael Keane were both named despite being doubts.