Why Gareth Southgate is set to announce England's World Cup squad early

Gareth Southgate hopes the early bird catches the worm – he is set to name his England squad early.

His World Cup selection will be made public next week following the conclusion of the Premier League season.

The Three Lions manager has clearly already made his mind up and he will confirm who is going to Russia more than three weeks before he has to, with the FIFA deadline not until the start of June.

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The Football Association will submit a 35-name provisional squad on Monday, which Southgate will then trim right down.

The final 23 will be announced at Wembley either on Wednesday of next week, or Thursday.

Southgate has some big calls to make, especially in light of recent injury issues.

Liverpool’s in-form Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out of the World Cup, while Gary Cahill – who has captained his country a number of times – may have played his way back in after recent strong form for Chelsea.

The England boss must also decide if Jack Wilshere has done enough to earn a place after being left out of the last squad.

England were handed a reasonable group, but must play against star studded Belgium as they look to improve on recent woeful tournament performances.

They also take on Tunisia and rank outsiders Panama in Group G, but look set to face Germany or Brazil in the quarter finals if things go to plan.