Gareth Southgate names England squad for World Cup in Russia

Gareth Southgate has named the England squad he is taking to Russia for the World Cup this summer.

The Three Lions manager has picked 23 players to fly the flag for the country at the tournament next month.

Southgate has left goalkeeper Joe Hart and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere behind. Chelsea stalwart Gary Cahill has received a call-up despite suspicions he would be culled.

The likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Nick Pope, Fabian Delph and Jack Butland have made the cut despite limited international experience.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was a surprise selection.

READ MORE: In pictures – England’s 23-man World Cup squad

READ MORE: England 1996 World Cup winner Ray Wilson dies

Tottenham’s Danny Rose and Ashley Young of Manchester United were the chosen left-backs while there was no place on the plane for Ryan Bertrand.

Harry Kane will lead the line for the Three Lions with Marcus Rashford, Jamie Vardy, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck and Jesse Lingard providing additional firepower.

Manager Southgate thinks he has picked a team which the country can get excited about this summer despite fewer younger heads than perhaps were expected.

Southgate excited by the challenge

“I believe this is a squad which we can be excited about,“ he said.

“It is a young group, but with some really important senior players so I feel the balance of the squad is good, both in terms of its experience, its character and also the positional balance.

“We have a lot of energy and athleticism in the team, but players that are equally comfortable in possession of the ball and I think people can see the style of play we’ve been looking to develop.

“The selection process has been over months really, it’s not just been the last few weeks. We feel the team are improving and we want to continue that momentum.”

England’s squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders: Phil Jones (Man Utd), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Harry Maguire (Leicester)

Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Fabian Delph (Man City), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), Dele Alli (Tottenham).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).

England’s standby list

England managers always have a few names on standby with injuries possible between now and the big kick-off in Russia.

We all remember Jermain Defoe travelling with the team to Germany in 2006 only for Wayne Rooney to make a recovery in time to take his spot up front.

Here’s a look at the five stars Southgate has waiting by the phone as backup options.

Goalkeeper: Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defender: James Tarkowski (Burnley)

Midfielders: Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Lewis Cook (Bournemouth), Jake Livermore (West Brom)

Strikers: None