NO GATE CRASHERS

All Gareth’s favourites locked in for finals trip

GARETH SOUTHGATE has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.

But his England squad for next year’s World Cup finals is mostly set in stone.

Southgate already knows who he really wants for Qatar and has often hinted it will be tough for any latecomers to gatecrash the party now.

England clinched their place at the greatest show on Earth by smashing San Marino 10-0, and on paper there is plenty of time for some new faces to force their way in.

After all, the World Cup does not kick off for another year and Southgate’s side have at least eight more internationals to play before then.

One Premier League season will have ended and a completely new one begun by the time England finally fly out to Qatar.

Those in the frame now can have a dip in form, get injured, get relegated or switch clubs.

But the last squad Southgate picked for a major tournament got England to the final of Euro 2020 and he will stay as loyal to it as he can – it’s just the way he is.

If he was making his final selection today, he would have a good idea of who is in.

Yes, Southgate has used 34 different players in qualifying for Qatar – but five were goalkeepers.

Of the others, Ben White and Eric

Dier did not play a single minute, while new faces like Fikayo Tomori, Emile Smith Rowe and Conor Gallagher featured only briefly.

The biggest decisions Southgate must make will not come until he finds out whether FIFA will allow expanded squads like UEFA did for the Euros.

If it is a final 23, and Southgate does stick largely with the players who brought him such success at the Euros, there is very little wriggle room.

One thing is for sure, Jordan Pickford will take some shifting. The Everton goalkeeper was a shoot-out hero again at the Euros and kept enough clean sheets to make him all but undroppable.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale has emerged as the closest rival Pickford (inset) has had for years largely because he, too, is so good with his feet.

But the big question is, who goes as the third choice – Nick Pope, Dean Henderson or Sam Johnstone? Meanwhile, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker are certs, especially if Southgate uses a back three against some opponents.

Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings made an impression as squad men at the Euros, but Coady looks the most vulnerable as he did not play a minute at the finals.

Reece James and Kieran Trippier look a step ahead of Trent Alexander-arnold at right-back. Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw are locks on the left.

Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips have formed a formidable partnership in the engine room.

But Jude Bellingham continues to impress, and Jordan Henderson’s experience surely puts him ahead of midfield rivals James Ward-prowse, Jesse Lingard or Gallagher.

Further forward, Mason Mount and Phil Foden are both dead certs.

Southgate has consistently picked Raheem Sterling even when he has not been playing for Manchester City. And fan favourite Jack Grealish has worked his way into favour.

Marcus Rashford has not played a minute in qualifying but featured in all but two of England’s games at the Euros and has always been reliable when fit. Bukayo Saka is also a strong contender, with Jadon Sancho and Smith Rowe set to be disappointed if numbers are limited to 23.

If that is the case, Southgate could take only two recognised centre-forwards – skipper Harry Kane, obviously, with Dominic Calvert-lewin, Tammy Abraham, Ollie Watkins and Mason Greenwood vying for the other spot.

Southgate said: “We’ve had plenty of tough games through this calendar year with the whole European Championship. It’s just about building and improving in every aspect.

“It’s going to be interesting to see some of the younger players who are emerging and how quickly their progress is, too, towards what’s going to happen in the next 12 months.

“Now we’ve got to go and prepare and reflect on the whole of the last year. It’s a chance to breathe and think about everything.”