Reece James has been ruled out of tentative Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup, with Kyle Walker and Kalvin Philips still hopeful despite facing injuries.
According to reports Gareth Southgate has finalised his 26-man list and will be officially released on 10 November, 2022.
While Reece James is a major doubt for the tournament, being among the latest players to be added to the injury lists, Manchester City duo – Kyle Walker and Kalvin Philips are reportedly ahead of the Chelsea star on recovery, and may likely be named.
However, the three Premier League stars face an anxious wait for the final announcement on Thursday, 10 November.
Sources close to the Three Lions’ team have confirmed that Gareth Southgate would want to gamble with Reece James just as he did with Harry Maguire in Euros 2022.
All the three players were top favorites to make it to Southgate’s World Cup, but their chances turned slimmer after they suffered injuries, with Reece James literally ruled out.
Gareth Southgate has reportedly made personal fitness checks on his wounded players to examine their availability and chances before unveiling the squad on Thursday.
Southgate is said to have personally addressed injured players whose selection has been doubted due to the injuries.
Reece James who limped off in Milan in October, is among those that have spoken with Gareth Southgate and is now set to miss the World Cup after updating the manager on the state of his recovery.
Of the injured trio, he is furthest behind in his recovery – an issue that has not worked in his favor, and is expected to miss out.
Meanwhile, Kalvin Philips and Kyle Walker have declared themselves fit for selection, a development that is a significant boost to Southgate.
Indeed, Phillips could make his return from shoulder surgery in Wednesday night’s EFL Cup game against Chelsea.
However, this week’s cup ties will have little or no bearing on Southgate’s final squad, as he has already selected his traveling party for Qatar.
Despite the optimism in the Manchester City duo, they are reportedly still carrying fitness concerns that can still mar their chances of being selected.
Phillips has only managed 14 minutes of football with Manchester City, a very discouraging stat.
Walker is a top favorite among the three, with a recovery pace from groin injury that have shocked Manchester City medics, who describe it as miraculous.
He is set to step up his rehabilitation programme in the coming days, adding more turns to his running which will test out his injured knee.
Despite being literally ruled out, James is still optimistic of making Gareth Southgate’s squad, but the prolonged recovery time is the major hindrance.
England will open their 2022 World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21, before playing USA and Wales in Group B.
The likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney, and other top Premier League stars are expected to make the squad.
