Stuart Pearce backs Gareth Southgate to make right calls when naming England World Cup squad despite selection headache

STUART PEARCE has told Gareth Southgate to ignore the noise and stick to his gut when it comes to his England squad selection.

The Three Lions’ 26-man travelling party for the Qatar World Cup will be announced on Thursday after months of anticipation and debate.

The England boss has some big calls to make, including whether to pick the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Maddison and Ivan Toney.

Southgate has been criticised in the past for playing it too safe with his selections, especially heading into major tournaments.

But ex-England defender Pearce – who made 78 appearances for his country – says his old teammate’s record of getting it right are clear for all to see.

Asked if Southgate needs to stick to his gut, Pearce said: “Exactly that. We are doing a lot of things right.

“If we roll the clock back to last April or May and asked the same question, I don’t think there would be any doubters.

“What we have had is a tough Nations League on the back of a really long season. That tells you everything.

“But we have one of the most level people we will ever have in charge of our national team.

“He is a brilliant ambassador for the nation and I personally think whilst he comes across as an affable person, which he is, he also makes tough judgement calls.

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“He understands that whatever team he picks, he will potentially get criticised.

“But, he has got most of his team selections correct over time. You don’t get to finals or semi-finals unless you have.”

The competition for places will see several big stars left at home, but Pearce believes that should only be viewed as a positive for English football.

He said: “If we all knew which team and which squad were going, that means we haven’t got a wealth of players.

“Someone like James Maddison hasn’t been picked in the last few squads but he has been playing well. Ivan Toney is playing well for his club, Callum Wilson too.

“There are certain players outside the last squad that are actually not getting in. The more players we have vying for spots in the squad, it has got to be a good thing.”

Pearce feels Southgate’s biggest dilemma is whether to include Leicester playmaker Maddison after his surge in form, adding: “For James, the problem is playing in a position where we have so much talent. Gareth will be aware of that.”

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