Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere can't play for England until he's getting regular club game time, warns Gareth Southgate as he defends squad snub

Gareth Southgate has told Jack Wilshere he cannot see him getting in his England squad if he cannot even tie down a spot at Arsenal.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said this week that the 25-year-old midfielder should be recalled by the Three Lions boss.


Yet Wilshere has been left out of the squad to face Germany and Brazil.

Manager Gareth Southgate named his latest England squad on Thursday afternoon

Manager Gareth Southgate named his latest England squad on Thursday afternoon

Jack Wilshere, who has only featured in one League game this season, was not in the squad

Jack Wilshere, who has only featured in one League game this season, was not in the squad

Southgate had his say on Wilshere at his Wembley press conference on Thursday.

ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (West Ham), Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Harry Winks (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Dele Alli (Tottenham)

Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Tammy Abraham (Swansea), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

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'I don't know how you can get in an England squad without getting in an Arsenal team,' Southgate said.

'There's no question in our mind about Jack Wilshere's ability and his football brain and his personality.

'We just need to see him playing regular League football before we think it's right to put him back in. With him, there's been unfortunately a history of injuries.

'We want to make sure he is robust enough before we bring him in. I did have a conversation with Arsene on Saturday because we think his ability is that of a top player. For me, it's just about game time.'

Manchester United's Chris Smalling has also been omitted from the squad. On that, Southgate said: 'I have huge respect for Chris. I think he's a player who is obviously playing at a big club.

'We want to play a certain way and the players who are brought in, I want to see them using the ball from the back, building up a certain way, and that's the style I want to have a look at.

'There are some young players who this is a good opportunity. I know what Chris can do. There are some young defenders who haven't got as many games under their belt.

'So this is a great chance to look at them and see how they can play at this level.'

On Wilshere, Southgate said: 'We just need to see him playing regular League football'

On Wilshere, Southgate said: 'We just need to see him playing regular League football'

Theo Walcott (left) was also overlooked by Southgate, so no Arsenal players made his squad

Theo Walcott (left) was also overlooked by Southgate, so no Arsenal players made his squad