Gareth Southgate will ignore calls to name Jack Wilshere in England squad on Thursday as World Cup 2018 preparations begin against Germany

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Gareth Southgate has ignored calls to select Jack Wilshere in his latest England squad, preferring instead to stick with talented Tottenham youngster Harry Winks. Swansea's Tammy Abraham is also understood to be under strong consideration.

Arsene Wenger said Arsenal midfielder Wilshere deserved an England recall after impressing in recent weeks, not least during the club's Europa League campaign.

But Wilshere has made only one appearance in the Premier League this season and Southgate is thought to view that as too little first team football to warrant a place for the friendly double-header against Germany and Brazil later this month.

Gareth Southgate has ignored calls to select Jack Wilshere in his latest England squad 

Arsene Wenger said midfielder Wilshere deserved a recall after impressing in recent weeks

Southgate however is preferring instead to stick with talented Spurs youngster Harry Winks

At this stage Winks is the preferred option after his fine debut in the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania last month, while it is believed Southgate has also looked at Watford's Tom Cleverley as another midfield option. 

The inclusion of Cleverley would nevertheless be a surprise given the last of his 13 England caps was in 2013.

Southgate names his squad at a media conference at Wembley on Thursday afternoon and less of a shock would be the selection of Abraham.

The Swansea City striker, who is on loan from Chelsea, has attracted interest from Nigeria in recent months but is known to be committed to England after representing the national side at under 18, under 19 and under 21 level.

Southgate made a point of travelling to Arsenal last weekend to see Abraham in action.

Southgate will begin finalising his team ahead of next summer's World Cup in Russia