Joe Hart’s World Cup dreams appear to have gone up in smoke as Gareth Southgate prepares to name the England squad bound for Russia.
Months of speculation, scrutiny and intrigue come to a head on Wednesday afternoon, when the 23 men charged with taking on the world’s best this summer are revealed.
Their delight will contrast markedly with the disappointment of those missing out, with Hart – comfortably England’s most experienced player – said to have missed the cut.
The England manager also underlined the importance of the West Ham loanee’s role in getting his country to the World Cup and just last August called the criticised shot-stopper the country’s “best goalkeeper”.
But Burnley’s Nick Pope has reportedly usurped him in pecking order after Southgate called Hart on Monday to tell him he would not be in the squad heading to Russia.
“Joe’s professionalism has been brilliant with us,” the England boss said after the March friendlies. “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.”
Uncapped Trent Alexander-Arnold’s promising campaign has put him in with a shout of making a World Cup squad that fellow Liverpool defender Joe Gomez looked set to join until undergoing ankle surgery.
Alfie Mawson, an unused member of the squad in March, is also out after going under the knife, so it will be interesting to see whether Southgate recalls the likes of Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling and Michael Keane to bolster his three-man defence.
Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier looks likely to overcome a knee complaint and Southgate’s decision at left-back looks tough given his desire for versatility and the competition for that role.
Jack Wilshere has not played for his country since the Euro 2016 exit to Iceland but was in line to start against Holland in March before injury put his World Cup hopes in jeopardy.
Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey has performed well recently but last donned the Three Lions in November 2015. Adam Lallana, England’s player of the year in 2016, is a fitness doubt, although Ruben Loftus-Cheek is an exciting option.
The squad will be drawn from the privately-submitted long list of 35 handed to FIFA and, while the world governing body does not need it whittled down until June 4, Southgate will name 23 to strip unnecessary anxiety and pressure from preparations.
Southgate’s choices will be pawed over at a press conference at Wembley on Thursday, when the process will be in focus as well as his plans for the captaincy and goalkeeper in Russia.
The majority of players will meet up on Monday as World Cup preparations get under way, although Manchester United and Chelsea players will be given an extended break after the FA Cup final.
Liverpool’s players will get similar respite after the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
England have warm-up friendlies against Nigeria at Wembley on June 2 and Costa Rica in Leeds on June 7, with the Group G opener against Tunisia on June 18.
