Gareth Southgate set to banish Danny Drinkwater from England World Cup plans after call-up snub
GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to axe Danny Drinkwater from his World Cup plans after he snubbed England.
The Chelsea midfielder declined boss Southgate’s request to join his injury-hit squad for tonight’s friendly against Germany and Tuesday’s game with Brazil.
Drinkwater, 27, who has featured just four times for the Blues since recovering from a calf injury, is now unlikely to be selected for March’s two friendlies.
Southgate said: “He’s only played 70 minutes for Chelsea in terms of starting and he felt he wasn’t ready yet to play this level.
“We had a bit of this conversation last week in that the physical demands at this level are incredibly high now.
“If Danny didn’t feel he was ready for that, I can understand given the minutes he’s had.”
Privately, though, Southgate is disappointed with his decision.
Asked whether Drinkwater will be selected in March, Southgate said: “I’ve no idea. We might have other players back by then.”
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Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are set to make their Three Lions debuts at Wembley tonight, with Eric Dier captaining for the first time.
But Southgate revealed he will only select Jack Wilshere again if he starts playing for Arsenal in a deeper midfield role.
He said: “I don’t think Jack is a No 10. I hope we are in a position in March where we can pick him.”
