Gareth Southgate under scrutiny with tough decisions to make

In a tournament year, any England squad takes on an added layer of importance.

With the rearranged European Championships only a matter of months away, Gareth Southgate's selection for the upcoming international break sheds as much light on his thinking ahead of the summer as it does the start of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Indeed, the three matches against San Marino, Albania and Poland over the next fortnight will be as influential in shaping the complexion of the squad for this summer's tournament as they will for whether the team will be in Qatar next year or not.

With every selection more important than the last between now and June it was those who didn't make the cut in this latest 26-man group who sparked as many conversations as those who did.

In-form trio Luke Shaw, John Stones and Jesse Lingard all returned after extended absences from the setup but it was the omission of Trent Alexander-Arnold in defence that raised the most eyebrows.

The Liverpool right-back has been the country's standout in his position for some time with Premier League and Champions League winners' medals on his mantelpiece to show for it.

But Southgate feels his form this season has reflected that of the underperforming champions and, as a result, plumped for Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier and Reece James of Chelsea in his stead.

“There’s some areas of the pitch where we’ve got incredible competition for places and Trent’s very unfortunate,” Southgate said of Alexander-Arnold, who has featured regularly in the England side since breaking into the squad before the 2018 World Cup.

“I don’t think he’s played at the level that he found in the last couple of years, but I think he’s getting very close to that now. I think in the last few weeks he’s definitely taken steps in the right direction.

“It’s simply that we think Reece James, Kieran Trippier have had exceptional seasons really with their clubs. Kyle Walker is in great form with Manchester City, so we’ve got other players in the league who are also playing well in that position.

“(Matty) Cash at Aston Villa, (Luke) Ayling at Leeds, so it really is a position (of strength). We’ve got two very good right-backs in the under-21s. It’s a remarkable position of strength. What I said to Trent earlier today, I’ve made that same call to Kyle and to Kieran in the past and their response was a good one.

“They took up the challenge and they found themselves back in the squad and Trent is of course a super talent and he’ll I’m certain play a big part in England in the future. He misses out this time, but we could quite conceivably be sitting here before the summer and he’s with us.”

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford is another who can feel hard done to with Ollie Watkins, an impressive addition since joining Aston Villa from Brentford in the summer, preferred up front.

"(Bamford was) very close," he added. "There're a number of positions in this squad that have been really close calls and we felt we wanted an extra striker.

"We're really pleased with Harry (Kane) and (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin and what they've done. Tammy Abraham hasn't really been involved for Chelsea over the last four to six weeks.

"And both Ollie and Patrick in particular, their goals record has been good. We like the personalities of both. Ollie is a player we've had less interaction with in the past. It's going to be good to get to know him.

"We like his pressing, the speed and the runs in behind. He's got some improvement to make in linking the game, but in his first season in the Premier League at a big club, he's done exceptionally well.

"That's been a really close call because all the things I've said about Ollie I could have said for Patrick as well, so he's very unfortunate."

Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow was another on the fringe of the group with Jordan Pickford's injury opening up a spot between the sticks which Villa stopper Sam Johnstone has grabbed with both hands.

"Karl Darlow has had a very good season for Newcastle," Southgate added. "He's probably found himself out of the team at just the wrong time in many regards really.

"But Sam Johnstone, in a team that has had a difficult season, has kept a very good level of performance. He's comfortable in possession as well as keeping the ball out of his net."

Southgate says there has never been any questions about the ability of those handed a recall.

"Jesse of the three you'd have to say is a bit more fortunate to be in," he added. "I think Luke and John have performed over a period of time.

"We've got injuries in the attacking areas which have opened up an opportunity for Jesse, but I have to say his performances for West Ham have been excellent. We know he can perform at the level."

Those in possession of all-important spots in the squad will feel they now have the inside track on a place at the Euros. Those on the outside looking in will hope there's still time left to change Southgate's mind.