Kane and Wilshere hoping for England recalls

05 November 2016 16:38

Harry Kane and Jack Wilshere will be hoping for recalls when interim manager Gareth Southgate names what could be his final England squad on Sunday.

Southgate's temporary arrangement with the Football Association expires after the double header of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland and the friendly against Spain four days later.

He remains the firm favourite to land the job on a permanent basis, but both he and the association have been tight-lipped about the future, meaning positive displays in the next two matches could still be important.

Southgate was without Kane against Malta and Slovenia last month, with the Tottenham striker sidelined by an ankle injury, but he has come back to fitness just in time for the international break and only an adverse reaction to his planned involvement in the north London derby against Arsenal would prevent him returning.

Gunners forward Theo Walcott is also expected to start that match after a hamstring niggle and will be assessed similarly.

Wilshere's case is less straightforward, with the midfielder fit and available for England's last three matches but deemed surplus to requirements by Sam Allardyce and Southgate.

But a loan move from Arsenal to Bournemouth has been good for the 24-year-old, who is playing a fulsome and important role under Eddie Howe and has finally ended his two-year wait to complete a full 90 minutes in the Premier League.

Southgate was on hand to see the Cherries in person at his old club Middlesbrough last weekend and, although the home side were 2-0 winners, Wilshere had some eye-catching moments in midfield and looked fully match fit.

Everton playmaker Ross Barkley has also not been seen since being a non-playing squad member in the Euro 2016 debacle, but with Dele Alli, captain Wayne Rooney and possibly Wilshere all vying for the number 10 role, he may have to continue his wait.

Liverpool pair Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne can expect to be named, having recovered from injuries that ruled them out last time around.

Lallana scored the only goal of the Allardyce reign and increasingly seems a first-choice pick for the national side, while Clyne's absence as right-back cover led to a surprise recall for Glen Johnson who was himself forced out on fitness grounds.

Raheem Sterling did not feature in the Manchester City squad that took on Middlesbrough, but the winger is understood to have been rested and should be ready for duty.

Also fit again and due a call-up is Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater, whose Champions League experiences this season have only added to his credentials.

At left-back Danny Rose should keep his shirt, with Southgate having a decision to make between Luke Shaw, Ryan Bertrand and possibly Kieran Gibbs.

All three have had fitness concerns of varying degrees this season and a call must be made on who is best placed to serve the squad as Rose's deputy.

At centre-half Chris Smalling is a doubt with a foot problem and England may have to be guided by Manchester United's use of the player in their game against Swansea on Sunday.

With John Stones and Gary Cahill the current pairing, Southgate will look at Burnley's Michael Keane, who was added to the squad for the Malta and Slovenia matches, and Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson as options.

With the Spain friendly likely to involve more players and both matches being at Wembley a slightly larger squad than usual may be convened, though Andros Townsend and Michail Antonio could still drop out.

Source: PA