sport news Exactly what headaches is Gareth Southgate facing nine weeks out from Qatar? trends now

Nine weeks out from the World Cup and the problems are mounting up for England manager Gareth Southgate.

Injuries, a lack of playing time at club level for key players and no recognised understudy to Harry Kane are issues threatening to blight England’s preparations.

Ahead of the double header against Italy and Germany, Sportsmail examines the headaches Southgate is facing.

Goalkeepers

What if Pickford is still injured?

In terms of knowing his first choice, goalkeeper is not an area causing Southgate much concern. Jordan Pickford is his undisputed No 1. 

However, the Everton man’s unavailability due to a thigh injury for the final two matches before the tournament accentuates a niggling issue. What if Pickford is out? There is no obvious candidate to replace him.

Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson, who are the three in the squad this week, have a total of 12 caps between them compared to Pickford’s 45. 

Elsewhere, Brazil No 2 Ederson has 18 caps while first-choice Alisson has 55. Germany’s recognised No 1 keeper Manuel Neuer has 116 caps compared to second in-line Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s 28.

The Nations League matches will provide Pope and Ramsdale an opportunity to stake their claim as Pickford’s understudy. 

Don’t be surprised to see both given an opportunity over the next week. Henderson, the beneficiary of Pickford’s omission, is likely to need an injury if he is to stand a chance of making the plane.

Centre backs 

How can Maguire be in starting XI?

There is no ambiguity over who Southgate views as his two strongest centre backs: Harry Maguire and John Stones. Stones is playing regularly at Manchester City and that will come as a huge relief to the England manager. 

Maguire, however, is finding life increasingly difficult under new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

Since being dropped for the game against Liverpool four weeks ago, Maguire has played just 10 minutes in the Premier League. 

He was given a start in the Europa League against Real Sociedad — a game United lost — but kept on the bench until the final minute against Moldovan side FC Sheriff last week.

Maguire’s prospects of getting back into the United team appear remote. The 29-year-old was name-checked by Southgate last week as he revealed his fears over England’s chances in Qatar due to a lack of first-team action for some of his stars.

The only way Maguire’s predicament is likely to change is through injury to other United players. 

That leaves Southgate in a tight spot. The England manager has stressed on numerous occasions that his players should be involved regularly at club level if they are to make his squad. 

There are exceptions for particular members and Maguire falls into that category. Will he make the World Cup squad if his peripheral club role continues? Probably, yes. Starting him, however, is harder to justify.

Eric Dier’s revival should ease Southgate’s concerns. The Tottenham defender is in the form of his career at centre half and that, coupled with his major tournament experience, should be a factor.

Southgate is known to be a big fan of Marc Guehi but the Crystal Palace defender, Fikayo Tomori and Conor Coady have no experience of playing in a major senior international tournament.

Coady was selected for the Euro 2020 squad but did not play a single minute.

Full backs 

Should he leave Alexander-Arnold at home?

We Have had all the jokes about Southgate selecting a squad full of right backs — but at this stage it is no longer a laughing matter. Kyle Walker is a certainty and if England play with a four-man defence

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