Seven Players Competing Over Final Two World Cup Spots For England

The World Cup gets ever closer and soon Gareth Southgate will be making some very big decisions. According to reports there's only two decisions to make but there's seven players to choose from.

Every time I've done a World Cup related article in the last few months I've checked to see just how long left there is until every football fans favourite time of the four year period and the fact there's only 36 days left makes me very happy and excited.

_{How far would this England XI get in the World Cup?}

Sure there's still the last weekend of the Premier League, not that there's too much to play for, the FA Cup final, Europa League final and Champions League final to come but none of it comes close to four weeks of footballing goodness that the World Cup brings us.

England fans will no doubt go through the usual emotions of not thinking they'll do well, to thinking they might win the World Cup to not being surprised when they're embarrassed all within a week.

Of course Gareth Southgate has the ability to kick off the meltdown early depending on who he picks for his squad and according to the Daily Mail he's all but done that with just two places left in the final 23.

The newspaper say that Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Joe Gomez' injures have kicked off a seven way battle between Adam Lallana, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jack Wilshere, Gary Cahill, Michael Keane, Chris Smalling and Trent Alexander-Arnold for the two spots.

Chamberlain's injury is a huge blow for England. Image: PA Images

The Liverpool pair have both picked up injuries that will rule them out of the tournament and both are blows for the England manager. Southgate has been impressed by both for the Three Lions in recent games and both had a big chance to start the first game, especially 'the Ox.'

Harry Winks and Nathaniel Chalobah would have taken places in the squad had it not been for long term injuries whilst the news means that Jonjo Shelvey will not come out of the blue to capture a spot.

Loftus-Cheek had been in pole position for Ox's place but Jack Wilshere's recent form, and lack of fitness issues, means he could go ahead of the on loan Chelsea player whilst Adam Lallana has just two games to prove his fitness and form.

Wilshere was a member of the squad who lost to Iceland two years ago. Image: PA Images

In defence Gomez's injury could open the way for Trent Alexander-Arnold to make a last minute push for a place whilst either Chris Smalling or Gary Cahill could make a surprise return to the squad and Michael Keane's second half of the season form has put him back in the mix after a dreadful start to life at Everton.

With only two places left who should Southgate take?

Topics: Football News, Russia 2018, 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.

@Sidler28