Gareth Southgate England World Cup squad press conference LIVE: Latest updates from Wembley Stadium

Southgate speaks publicly for the first time since naming his 23-man squad

England announces squad for Russia 2018 World Cup

Gareth Southgate has spoken publicly for the first time after naming his 23-man World Cup squad.

The Three Lions boss made his long-awaited selection for Russia on Wednesday afternoon with a number of high profile names missing out. Experienced duo Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere aren't on the plane with uncapped Nick Pope and Trent Alexander-Arnold instead preferred in a young-looking squad.

Gary Cahill won back his place while Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek was rewarded for his fine form on loan for Crystal Palace. England Player of the Year Adam Lallana is only on the standby list and must hope for an injury in the initial group to get his chance.

We will have all the latest reaction from Southgate's press conference right here.

---

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

Key Points

• Gareth Southgate speaks for the first time after announcing his 23-man World Cup squad
• Uncapped Trent-Alexander Arnold is included but Liverpool teammate Adam Lallana misses out 
• Gary Cahill and Ruben Loftus-Cheek given the nod but Jack Wilshere and Joe Hart not included
• Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski, Lewis Cook, Jake Livermore and Lallana on standby

[17 May 2018 09:59 · Ben Burrows]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Gareth Southgate's press conference from Wembley.

The Three Lions boss made his long-awaited selection for Russia on Wednesday afternoon with a number of high profile names missing out.

Today he will speak publicly for the first time where he is sure to be asked to explain a number of his choices.

We will have all the latest right here.

[17 May 2018 10:08 · Ben Burrows]

Southgate opted for youth over experience in a young-looking group for Russia.

Uncapped Trent Alexander-Arnold is celebrating a maiden England call-up but Adam Lallana, Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere miss out.

After months of speculation, scrutiny and conjecture, the 23 men charged with bringing the country success in Russia were revealed on Wednesday afternoon, along with the five-strong stand-by list for the tournament.

England's joint second-most capped goalkeeper Hart was excluded from both lists as were Arsenal midfielder Wilshere and Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand - but Lallana provided the biggest shock.

While the Liverpool attacking midfielder has not started a Premier League match since New Year's Day, he is a favourite of Southgate. However, his lack of fitness means he has to settle with a stand-by place alongside Jake Livermore, Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski and Lewis Cook.

[17 May 2018 10:15 · Ben Burrows]

The other uncapped squad member is Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, having been selected ahead of 75-cap Hart to take the third spot behind Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was rewarded for his fine form and versatile Fabian Delph came in after winning the title at Manchester City, despite last playing for his country in November 2015.

Ashley Young, rejuvenated at Manchester United, joined Danny Rose as left-back options instead of Bertrand, who will feel hard done by considering he played a key role for Southgate.

[17 May 2018 10:22 · Ben Burrows]

Southgate said yesterday that he was pleased with the squad he has put together.

"I believe this is a squad which we can be excited about," said the England boss in a statement from the FA.

"It is a young group, but with some really important senior players so I feel the balance of the squad is good, both in terms of its experience, its character and also the positional balance.

"We have a lot of energy and athleticism in the team, but players that are equally comfortable in possession of the ball and I think people can see the style of play we've been looking to develop.

"The selection process has been over months really, it's not just been the last few weeks. We feel the team are improving and we want to continue that momentum."

[17 May 2018 10:35 · Ben Burrows]

Southgate admitted there were some difficult phone calls to make, and particularly highlighted the cases of Hart and Bertrand.

He said: "Ryan and Joe have played a lot over the last two years so they're not decisions we took lightly. I could've had easier conversations by keeping them involved.

"With Joe, we've got three other goalkeepers who have had very good seasons and the decision I was faced with was do I keep Joe in and have experience around the group? Or give the three guys who have basically had a better season a chance? We felt the players all needed to be in on merit after their performances this season.

"Ryan is also very unfortunate in that it's probably one of the strongest positions we have. Ryan has had a decent season but I just felt the others were ahead of him."

[17 May 2018 10:42 · Ben Burrows]

Southgate was also grateful to those players who have agreed to be placed on standby.

He said: "History tells us that one of those standby players may end up in the squad, as it's very unusual for us to get through the end of the season and our two preparation games without any issues.

"All of the guys on standby have been really professional in their approach to this. They recognise there's still an opportunity."

Southgate also revealed Liverpool pair Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez had been in his thoughts until suffering injuries.

[17 May 2018 10:45 · Ben Burrows]

Jack Wilshere has dealt with his World Cup snub with a dose of humour after posting a comical Instagram story on social media in the wake of Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the England squad for Russia 2018.

[17 May 2018 10:49 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Trent Alexander-Arnold's inclusion in Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad was one of the more interesting stories to break from the squad announcement yesterday.

Here's how he discovered that he had made the cut:

[17 May 2018 10:52 · Ben Burrows]

Southgate picked his 23 yesterday.

But here's Ed Malyon on why only 13 of them matter.

[17 May 2018 10:58 · Ben Burrows]

Manchester United extended their record as the only club represented in every England football tournament squad as Gareth Southgate named his 2018 World Cup squad on Wednesday.

Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford make up the Red Devils contingent in the 23-man party to travel to Russia and the club have been represented in every World Cup and European Championship England have appeared in, all the way back to Henry Cockburn and John Aston at the 1950 World Cup.

Their four inclusions this time around match the most players they have had in a squad - it is the seventh time in England's last 10 tournaments they have achieved that mark.