Gareth Southgate would get 'killed' by England fans if he picked Ben White for the World Cup

Gary Neville thinks that Gareth Southgate would be 'killed' if he decided to play Ben White for England at the World Cup, following the defender's impressive form for Arsenal.

The biggest problems facing the England boss are in defence, especially when it comes with what to do with Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold's inclusion in the squad to Qatar is also in question, mainly because of the number of right-backs the Three Lions have to pick from - and he's also in poor form for Liverpool.

One player who could play at either centre-back or right-back is Arsenal's White, who wasn't even in the squad for England's last two games before the World Cup.

On Monday Night Football, Neville suggested a change to a back four could work for England, with White at right-back shoring things up as a less attacking option but explained why it wouldn't work.

"And there would be two full-backs who would be flying on like crazy. You might sit Kyle Walker in a little bit. I wouldn’t think for me, that would be the right thing to do to play a back four.

"I think Ben White could come into it now and play tight as a right-back as he’s doing at Arsenal and narrow your back four. But then you lose something in the fact you’re playing Ben White at right-back.

"You’ve got Walker, Reece James, Alexander-Arnold and Trippier to call upon, Gareth would get absolutely killed for that."

White has been playing at right-back all season so far for the Gunners, having previously always played at centre-back for the North London side until William Saliba returned from his various loan spells in France.

The former Brighton defender made his debut in the pre tournament warm up matches ahead of Euro 2020 but wasn't initially included in the 26-man squad.

Alexander-Arnold's injury, picked up in the game against Austria, meant he did join the squad for the tournament, as England made the final, but he didn't play in any of the games.

Neville clearly thinks that England could do a lot worse than picking Alexander-Arnold at right back, despite his recent dip in form for Liverpool.

He did outline four things the full-back could improve on in order to get to that level in the wake of Jurgen Klopp's side conceding three goals in a 3-3 draw with Brighton at the weekend.