England World Cup 2018 squad door remains open for Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, confirms Gareth Southgate

Wilshere is running out of time to make England's World Cup squad
AFP/Getty Images
Tom Doyle26 March 2018

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere still has time to earn a place in England's World Cup 2018 squad despite his latest injury setback, according to Gareth Southgate.

Wilshere was called up by Southgate for the current international break, but suffered a knee problem in training last Thursday.

The 26-year-old did not travel with the England squad to Amsterdam for Friday night's 1-0 friendly victory against Netherlands, and has been ruled out of Tuesday's match against Italy at Wembley as well.

Wilshere has not won an England cap since the Three Lions' shock Euro 2016 exit to Iceland, and is running out of chances to impress Southgate before this summer's World Cup finals in Russia.

Southgate must name his preliminary World Cup squad by 14 May, and England's last two fixtures before the tournament are Nigeria (June 2) and Costa Rica (June 7) - with the final 23-man squad to be submitted by June 4.

However, Southgate responded to questions about whether it was too late for Wilshere to make his squad by saying: "I don't think it is too late for anybody."

Meanwhile, Southgate confirmed that Jack Butland will start in goal against Italy on Tuesday.

Jordan Pickford got the nod for the 1-0 win over Netherlands, but Southgate said it had always been the plan for both goalkeepers to get a game each.

"At the beginning of the week we decided to give both a game for the experience," Southgate said.

"We've stuck with the plan right the way through with those decisions and there's no reason to come away from that."

In Pictures | Netherlands vs England | 23/03/2018

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Asked where the decision left Joe Hart, Southgate said no decisions had been made regarding the World Cup.

"Again, in lots of positions on the field we've got really good options and players that can go into the team and do well for us. We've got touch decisions further down the line. There's a lot to play for.

"It's important that we have competition for places everywhere on the pitch, that breeds good performances. You need a clear understanding of how we want to play but then there's the additional pressure of knowing you've got to play well to keep your place."

Southgate added of Hart: "Joe's professionalism has been brilliant with us. He's always performed well for us. We had the best defensive record in Europe in qualifying. This week, even though he knew he wasn't going to be involved in the games, he's been a positive influence on the other players."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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