Gareth Southgate claims it will be a ‘disappointment’ if England don’t reach the World Cup final

Gareth Southgate says that anything other than a repeat of the Euro 2020 final or 2018 World Cup semi-final would represent a disappointment for England as he prepares to name his World Cup squad on Thursday, with Ben Chilwell the latest injury casualty for the Qatar tournament.

The England manager insists that his players have proved they can cope with pressure points in tournament football and, in an interview with foreign newspaper correspondents, said: ‘We always speak about wanting to make the country proud. If we manage that, then we will have won a few games.

‘In the last two tournaments, where we have distinguished ourselves, we didn’t know how the players would react, as many of them were first-time players. In football, England historically does not respond well to the pressures and expectations of such big events.

‘But my players know what they’re capable of. They have reached a semi-final and a final so they will be disappointed if they achieved less in Qatar.’

But Southgate is pondering over the weekend whether to bring in an inexperienced back-up for Chilwell or rely on Kieran Trippier as an alternative left- back, which is risky, as he will be needed to play right-back given injuries to Kyle Walker and Reece James.

Walker is expected to make the squad along with Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, despite their respective injuries. City manager Pep Guardiola said that Phillips would be on the bench for their Carabao Cup match against Chelsea on Wednesday as he makes his recovery from shoulder surgery. 

The Three Lions get their World Cup campaign underway on November 21 when they face Iran

Southgate also insisted that he still has unfinished business in the role and is keen to stay on  

Walker is still some way off after groin surgery but Southgate is expected to gamble that he will be match fit for the knock-out stages.

Chelsea right-back James seems much less likely to make the cut, even though he is rehabilitating in Dubai, with the best-case scenario having him fit for the quarter-finals, though he is unlikely to be match ready then.

Harvey Elliott is under consideration for a midfield position but, having never been picked for a squad before, it is likely Southgate will favour a more conservative option.

Southgate has overseen a run to the World Cup semi-finals and European Championship final 

Russia 2018 included England’s first-ever victory in a penalty shootout at a World Cup 

Marcus Rashford is in prime position to make his first England squad for a year, having returned to form at Manchester United and crucially showing he is capable of playing centre forward if a back-up were needed for Harry Kane.

Left-back Chilwell pulled up with a hamstring injury during the closing moments of Chelsea’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night.

And the 25-year-old has admitted that the injury means he won’t be boarding the plane to Qatar as part of Southgate’s 26-man squad.

Ben Chilwell pulled up with a hamstring injury against Dinamo Zagreb for Chelsea

Chilwell has endured dreadful luck with injuries having ruptured knee ligaments 12 months ago, an injury which ruled him out until May.

‘Following my ACL injury I worked so hard to make sure I was ready for the World Cup,’ Chilwell wrote on social media.

‘It has always been a dream of mine. Unfortunately, this won’t be possible following my scan results. I’ll do all I can to get back playing for Chelsea ASAP.’