England squad announcement LIVE: Gareth Southgate makes tough decisions ahead of March fixtures

Southgate added on Walker’s presence given his previous issues, namely his lockdown breaches: “I don’t think I can answer that any better than I just did really.”

And finally he was asked about the Lionesses and the access given to girls at schools: “I know for the girls a huge part of the drive for them to suceeed in the summer was the legacy piece. The opportunity for everyone to play the sport was high on their agenda, it’s great they have had the influence to get that through.

“On the equal pay, if men and women are doing the same job but aren’t being paid the same that isn’t right. In an economic world, the broadcasting figures have to tally. There is an economic reality to that. I have a daughter, if she is in an office I would want her to be paid equally. But there are economic factors across sports.”

Southgate added on the attacking front three: “I don’t think it is extrodinary to what we have had in the past when Raheem [Sterling] has been flying or Jack [Grealish]. We have had spells, we are forutntae to have good attacking talent. It is always a headache with that position.”

The manager added on choosing Kyle Walker amid allegations: “It’s a complicated situation. I have spoken at length with him. As we sit here at the moment he is back with his club, there is no conclusive evidence to leave him out at the moment. I have to be careful to be the moral judge on things.”

He also spoke on leaving out Trent Alexander-Arnold: “I have always communicated clearly with all the players on their strengths and what they can improve upon. In the past we have maybe taken more players in that position but at this point in the season we are mindful not to take too many, especially if they aren’t going to play.”

And on having qualifiers so soon after a World Cup: “That’s the big challenge to go to a World Cup everyone wanted to be there, the hunger was there. Now you have to start again. I know exactly where our most senior players are with that challenge, they are ready. The Hendersons, the Kanes set the tone.”

Gareth Southgate has spoken to media about his team: “I have got to pick the team and the squad which gives us the best chance of winning in the matches. Experience is part of that.. you have to get the balance right.”

And he added on his doubts of staying on as England managers: “The doubts I had were before the World Cup really. I have spoken a couple of months ago,I never wanted to be a devisive figure in my doing the job affecting the team. I did worry before the World Cup if I had to say I was going at the end would give the players a chance to play. We chose not to do that.”

There are some changes from the World Cup squad with some players coming back in and some excluded.

The goalkeepers are exactly the game but there are changes in the defenders. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Coady both miss out with Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Marc Guhei in.

The other star to come in are in the forwards with Ivan Toney included. Raheem Sterling misses out through injury and Callum Wilson is not included.

Here is what you have been waiting for, the squad! Conor Coady and Ben White miss out and Raheem Sterling is out with injury.

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)

So get your last guesses in, finalise your predictions we are just 10 minutes away from the England squad dropping!

We will give you the full squad at 2pm for England’s match against Italy and Ukraine later this month.

Here is a reminder of some contenders:

This is Gareth Southgate’s first squad of 2023 and after the World Cup many thought the manager may hang up his England waistcoat.

There were questions of whether the boss would stay on after England were beaten by France but he decided in December he would carry on.

He told ITV about his decision to stay on: “I’m in a job with the chance to make some history and I have the privilege of leading the national team.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience. I think we’ve made progress with the team across the years we’ve been in charge and I’m determined to try to drive the team that next step.

“We’re in a different landscape to any previous England team because of the success we’ve had. In our own minds, winning is probably the only thing that’s going to fulfil us.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been asked about whether Ben White should be included in England’s team announcement this afternoon.

The defender has been included in Gareth Southgate’s teams of late. He was in the World Cup squa dbut had to withdraw for personal reasons.

Arteta replied to the question by saying: “As far as I’m concerned, he’s been in really good form, he’s been available for every single match and he’s been performing really well for us.”

We will find out in half an hour whether he has made the cut.

Everton’s Conor Coady is set to miss out on the England squad this afternoon after losing his spot in his club team, The Daily Mail report.

Coady has been a part of Gareth Southgate’s teams but after falling out of favour at struggling Everton it seems as though the defender will not be included.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is thought to be taking a spot in his place.

There has been a lot of talk about Solly March getting a chance in an England shirt and he could not have done more to prove himself ahead of the announcement.

The Brighton winger scored against Crystal Palace on Wednesday in their 1-0 win to boost their chances of European football next season.

It was March’s seventh goal this season and it has led to manager Roberto de Zerbi saying the stalwart deserves his spot for England.

Read about the match here: