Wilshere and Hart set to miss out on World Cup selection

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and Manchester Citys on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart are expected to be omitted from Gareth Southgates England squad when the Three Lions boss names his World Cup party on Wednesday.

Wilshere, who has featured 38 times for Arsenal this season but has started just 12 Premier League matches, has not played for England since Euro 2016, although he earned a recall for friendlies against Italy and Holland in March only to withdraw through injury.

It is believed that Southgate has opted for Manchester Citys Fabian Delph instead, who has featured 29 times for Pep Guardiolas side this season but has not made a Three Lions appearance under the ex-Middlesbrough manager.

Former Leeds United and Aston Villa midfielder Delph has been deployed as a left-back as well as in midfield this term and his versatility might have been a determining factor for Southgate.

Perhaps that has also had a bearing on the potential selection of Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand, who it is believed has also been omitted, although Manchester Uniteds converted full-back Ashley Young appears set to travel.

There was a suggestion that Hart, who has spent this season at West Ham, would earn a place on the plane to Russia as Southgates No3 goalkeeper behind Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland, but appears to have been overlooked.

The World Cup would have been Harts fifth major finals, while he has been Englands first choice for the last three having accrued 75 caps in total. His last came against Brazil in November.

Burnleys Nick Pope, who was awarded his maiden call-up in March but is yet to make his England debut, appears set to replace Hart in the squad and travel to Russia as the third-choice stopper.

It is understood that Burnley defender James Tarkowski is on the standby list. Englands first match of the tournament is against Tunisia in Volgograd on 18 June.

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