With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missing the World Cup could any of these Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Newcastle or Spurs midfielders replace him?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will not play any further part in Liverpool’s season and will also miss the 2018 World Cup after suffering a knee injury.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was take off during the Champions League semi-final first-leg against Roma in one big negative from an impressive 5-2 victory at Anfield.
So who could replace the 24-year-old in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the tournament in Russia this summer?
James Milner
A fellow Reds midfielder and someone who has greatly impressed for Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2017/18 – with his nine assists in the Champions League an all-time high for the competition in one term.
The problem? Milner has retired from international football and as the Times reports, the 32-year-old will not be reversing that decision.
Chance of going to the World Cup: 3/10
Jonjo Shelvey
Shelvey earned the last of his six England caps in November 2015, but the Guardian reports Southgate is considering a recall for the Newcastle United ace.
As his club manager Rafa Benitez says; “Jonjo’s different from the players England already have and he can do a lot of things. He would be good in Russia.”
Chance of going to the World Cup: 6/10
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
When the Three Lions drew 0-0 with Germany in November, Loftus-Cheek was named man-of-the-match on his senior debut.
Injuries prevented the Chelsea midfielder, currently on loan at Crystal Palace, from representing his country since but a return to form surely makes him a likely selection?
Chance of going to the World Cup: 8/10
Harry Winks
Winks also made his senior England bow last year in a 1-0 qualifying victory over Lithuania, but since then the 22-year-old’s campaign has unravelled.
The Tottenham Hotspur academy product has not played in the Premier League since Boxing Day and boss Mauricio Pochettino told Talksport he may not feature again this term due to fitness issues.
Chance of going to the World Cup: 5/10
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