RELEGATION FEARS FOR GARETH

GaRETh southgate’s

neutrality in Premier league matters will be sorely tested as the relegation battle reaches its climax over the next three weeks due to the potential impact on his World Cup plans if Everton are relegated. Jordan Pickford does not have a relegation clause in his contract at Goodison Park and with all of the top clubs happy with their goalkeepers, southgate is concerned that England’s first-choice goalkeeper may have to spend the build-up to this year’s World Cup playing in the Championship, particularly given the fact that few other clubs in the top flight would be willing to match his £110,000-a-week Everton wages. southgate has continued to pick sam Johnstone since West Brom were relegated last season but may have doubts about going to the World Cup with two out of his three keepers playing in the second tier.