Jonjo Shelvey to miss out on England World Cup squad due to temperament and work ethic
Gareth Southgate has been impressed with Newcastle midfielder but still has doubts over how hard he will work in Russia
GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to deliver World Cup heartbreak for Jonjo Shelvey.
Fifa yesterday received the provisional 35-man squads from all competing nations and England boss Southgate will reveal his 23-man party at Wembley tomorrow.
Newcastle star Shelvey has finished the season as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders.
Yet while Shelvey has impressed Southgate with his form, there are concerns over his temperament and whether he will work hard enough in Russia — and that is why he is set to miss out.
Shelvey, 26, has played six times for England but those caps came under Roy Hodgson. His last appearance was against France in 2015.
Southgate will name a squad plus some players on standby. A key part of his plan for success is to have players seen as ‘good travellers’.
Central midfield is a problem area following the injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Jack Wilshere, Jake Livermore and Lewis Cook could return to the frame — with the players reporting at St George’s Park on Monday.
Meanwhile, Christian Benteke is sweating on his Belgium World Cup spot.
The Crystal Palace striker, 27, scored just three times and ended the season on the bench.
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He has also fallen down the pecking order with Belgium and last started a match for his country over a year ago.
Benteke said: “I’m going to wait for the list for the World Cup and, hopefully, I can go.
“If not, I’m going to rest then, go again.”