Still a glimmer of hope for Toon pair in bid to make World Cup

JONJO Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles’ World Cup hopes appear extremely slim – but England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested there is still time for players to force their way into his plans ahead of the summer. Newcastle United duo Shelvey and Lascelles were left out of Southgate’s squad for the two friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy during this international break. Magpies captain Lascelles is uncapped, while Shelvey has not played for the Three Lions since November 2015; yet both have been watched by Southgate on at least three occasions this season.

Despite naming a 27-man squad for the current international break, Southgate insists there are at least four or five other players who remain in his thoughts heading into the summer.

Even with the likes of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane currently out injured, Lascelles and Shelvey are a fair way down the pecking order.

However, a strong end to the season with Newcastle could see one – or even both – force their way into Southgate’s squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Russia, should injuries also occur.

“I don’t think it’s too late for anybody,” Southgate replied on Monday during a Press conference when he was asked if Wilshere could still make the final 23-man squad.

“It’s obviously more difficult. We’ll still be monitoring everybody between now and the end of the season.

“There 31 or 32 players still in contention.”