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
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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.
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Gareth Southgate is here! Which is handy considering it's his press conference. Things are about to get underway.
Southgate is here and begins his presser by paying tribute to both Jlloyd Samuel and Ray Wilson.
On Hart: "It's difficult. I have to look at performances over the last 18 months. And in the end the three lads I have picked have been the best three English goalkeepers in the league."
Southgate says Hart "took the news professionally", as did Ryan Bertrand.
Is the door closed on Joe Hart?
"No. If he is playing well for his club why would I not select him? He has an important club decision to make this summer."
On Wilshere: "Jack had a good spell in the lead-up to Christmas but wasn't as effective towards the end of the season. The other midfielders deserve their place in the squad."
Southgate says he views the standby list as "a separate entity" and expects 2-3 of those players to be integrated into the full squad. He says it will be a fantastic opportunity for Burnley's Tom Heaton, and adds Hart would be better off focusing on his club decision and preparing for next summer.
On young players: "They're not the finished article. And we don't have the same experience as Germany or Brazil. But they are the best players for the job and they were picked because of their ability, not their age.
"We're in a unique position. I could only select from 33% of players in the Premier League. We're rebuilding confidence."
On Trent Alexander-Arnold: "He's the next best English full-back in the Premier League. He's had an extended run in a team where expectation is very high. He looks like he's going to play in the Champions League final. He has also been involved in our junior teams, he's a player I know and he trained with us last month. He ticks all the criteria and it's a great chance for him."
On Lallana: "I have had a continued dialogue with him. Under normal circumstances he wouldn't be anywhere near the squad or the standby list. With an added ten days who knows what will happen. But to find the level of performance he needs on the back of the minutes he has had this season is going to be difficult. I'd like to give him the opportunity of doing that. I have also been having conversations with Jurgen and he thinks that's the best way to go too.
"I wish Liverpool all the best in the final."
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