YOU’RE NOT ALRIGHT, JACK

JACK WILSHERE has suffered a World Cup blow – warned by Gareth Southgate that he no longer has the speed and fitness to compete with today’s midfield powerhouses. Despite playing 27 Premier League games on loan for Bournemouth last season, Wilshere (left) has not been seen in an England shirt since the Euro 2016 defeat by Iceland a year ago. Southgate has ignored Wilshere, 25, since taking charge following the departure of Sam Allardyce in September – and he has hinted that an England recall is unlikely to happen any time soon.

“With Jack, he’s got to try and get up to full fitness. We saw against France the pace and athleticism of the opposition,” said Southgate.

“They are probably the best example of that in world football.

“But that is top-level football now, you have to be athletic, you have got to have power in your team and speed. So that has to be in our thinking when we are looking at the squad for the World Cup.”

Southgate is determined to stamp his authority on England. He has eased former skipper Wayne Rooney out of the picture and 35-year-old Michael Carrick has also played his last game for England.

And now it looks like he could be doing the same with Arsenal’s Wilshere.