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.

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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 11:29 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Why no captain?

"We're going through a process of trying to encourage more leaders. We're giving people the responsibility to grow. The captain isn't the only one to make decisions. When we get the lads together we will speak about it in more detail. But we need more leaders like we had in 96. 

"We meet on Sunday so we might discuss it then. We will make that decision before the first game." 

[17 May 2018 11:33 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

And there he goes! The England squad next meet this weekend, when we might start to get a slightly clearer idea of who is going to wear the armband in Russia.

[17 May 2018 11:35 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Gaz was very complimentary about Trent Alexander-Arnold in that presser, describing him as "the next best English full-back in the Premier League."

Here's Northern Football Correspondent Mark Critchley on why Southgate should show patience with the Liverpool prodigy. 

[17 May 2018 11:40 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Southgate expanded on his reasons for leaving several England regulars at home for this summer's tournament. 

Here's the lowdown on five of the biggest players he left behind:

[17 May 2018 11:42 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

This was a particularly interesting exchange. Why was Southgate so willing to leave many of England's more experienced players at home?

"We talk a lot about experience but if experience is not a good one, that can damage people's thinking," he said. "(But) sometimes the bad experience can be one where you suddenly realise, 'actually, what is there to lose?'.

"That's probably where I am in my life, so that can be a positive because you're free of the shackles. I don't see it as a gamble and I don't think being free of inhibition is gambling.

"I think it's being fearless in how we want to play, being brave enough to put people in and not think 'well, he's the best player but he's young, maybe we should pick a lesser player who's a bit more experienced'. You can make excuses at times for not putting young people in."

[17 May 2018 11:59 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Here's the lowdown on everything Southgate had to say about Jonjo Shelvey:

[17 May 2018 12:00 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

And everything we know about who is in the running to be the next England captain: