Gareth Southgate will keep the World Cup dreams of crocked pair Reece James and Kyle Walker alive today when he names England’s provisional squad for Qatar.
The England boss must submit a preliminary squad of up to 55 names to FIFA and will select both on his longlist, in the hope they can prove their fitness ahead of next month’s tournament.
Manchester City defender Walker is recovering from a groin injury and Chelsea star James has a more serious knee ligament problem.
Southgate is encouraged by the progress Walker has been making from surgery and remains hopeful he will be fit enough to make England’s final 26-man squad.