SOUTHGATE: MY JOB’S IN JEOPARDY

England manager admits ‘it’s time to go separate ways if World Cup results aren’t good enough’ ++ FA fearful he’ll walk away after Qatar regardless

GARETH SouTHGATE accepts his job will be in jeopardy if England bomb at the World Cup.

External pressure is growing on the England manager following a dismal run of five competitive matches without victory, while his team have not scored a goal from open play for more than 450 minutes.

While there is no appetite from inside the FA to make a change after the tournament in December, sources at Wembley fear that Southgate could walk away regardless of how England perform in Qatar.

The England boss last year signed a contract extension until after Euro 2024. But Southgate, whose team face Germany at Wembley tonight, admitted his future will depend on how England perform at the World Cup.

‘I know ultimately I will be judged on what happens at that World Cup,’ he said. ‘Contracts

THE final round of the County Championship begins today. Surrey secured the title last week but there’s still plenty at stake.

DIVISION 1

GlouCESTERSHIRE are already relegated, with Warwickshire, Kent and Yorkshire fighting it out to avoid the second spot.

Warwickshire, 14 points adrift of Kent, have the most to do so they must beat Hampshire and hope one or both of Yorkshire or Kent lose. A win — or a draw with a couple of bonus points — will be enough for Yorkshire and Kent. Yorkshire need 10 points to guarantee safety and Kent 11 but that will be necessary only if Warwickshire claim all 24 points with a win and maximum bonus points.

Fixtures: Kent v Somerset (Canterbury), Yorkshire v Gloucester (Headingley), Warwicks v Hants (Edgbaston), Lancs v Surrey (Old Trafford), Northants v Essex (Northampton).

DIVISION 2

NoTTS, Middlesex and Glamorgan are in the mix for the two promotion spots.

Notts are likely to claim one of them. They are 18 points clear of Glamorgan in third and need just seven points to confirm promotion, so a draw would be good enough or they could do it with bonus points.

Middlesex are nine points clear of Glamorgan so a win at Worcester would guarantee their spot, with a draw also potentially enough. Glamorgan must beat Sussex away and hope one of the other sides do not claim enough points to go past them.

Fixtures: Worcester v Middlesex (New Road), Sussex v Glamorgan (Hove), Notts v Durham (Trent Bridge), Derbys v Leics (Derby).