GARETH HAS MUCH TO PONDER

Choosing squad is toughest job of all

- Jeremy Cross

GARETH SOUTHGATE should brace himself for some sleepless nights between now and June.

Because the England manager has 23 reasons to be waking up in a cold sweat.

Southgate has less than three months to decide who he picks in his final squad for Euro 2024 in Germany.

England will head there as one of the favourites to conquer Europe – and win a first major trophy since the World Cup heroes of 1966.

Managers are paid the big bucks to make the even bigger calls. Southgate knows he has to get them all right if he is to stand a realistic chance of cementing his name – and those of his players – into footballing folklore.

It will be a headache.

Southgate is overflowing with talent in some areas but short of world-class stars in others.

Somehow he has to decide which wingers and attacking midfielders to choose from a deep pool, and who to leave behind.