Gareth Southgate Watching A Surprise Goalkeeper Ahead Of Possible Call Up

Remember when Gareth turned us on and football was coming home? Well the England manager is back to checking on players ahead of the first internationals of the season and there's a surprise name in his cross hairs.

With the Premier League back in full swing and the sun having hidden back behind the clouds the World Cup now feels like it was another lifetime ago but we've already got international football on the near horizon.

In just a couple of weeks England will take on Switzerland and the USA when the first international break hits us in September. Of course the big difference from the summer is the fact we're inevitably going to start hating international football again.

England will have a long way to go in the next two years to replicate the success the side had this summer at the World Cup when the Euros eventually swings around but Southgate has to build on his team from Russia.

That's exactly why today Southgate is at a Premier League ground checking on a potential surprise call up. The England boss is, according to the Mirror, at Goodison Park to check up on Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

McCarthy is in the frame for the Three Lions. Image: PA Images

The reason that McCarthy is under consideration is because Nick Pope, who was England's number three at the World Cup, has got a dislocated shoulder and is missing the first part of the season.

England's number two Jack Butland has stayed with Stoke over the summer meaning he is now playing in the Championship and is likely to drop down the pecking order for the Three Lions.

Tom Heaton was the standby for the World Cup but the Burnley goalie is currently behind Joe Hart in the pecking order at Turf Moor leaving only Jordan Pickford from Southgate's top four pick in goa.

Pickford celebrates his brilliance. Image: PA

The fact that Hart is back and starting games, including an excellent performance for Burnley in the Europa League on Thursday, means the former Manchester City keeper could be back in the frame.

It'll be really interesting to see if anyone else can work their way into Southgate's post World Cup squad as preparation for the Euros starts here.

Topics: Football News, Southampton, England, Gareth Southgate, World Cup

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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