SO MUCH TALENT AND SOUTHGATE HAS ALSO GOT FRINGE BENEFITS...

RIGHT, as much as it might pain us to do so, let’s indulge Gianni Infantino for a moment and stick to the football.

- ANDY DUNN

Having said that, FIFA’s truly scandalous decision to stage a World Cup in the throes of a European domestic season means even that is a struggle when most of the talk leading up to this week’s squad announcements will be about who and how many will NOT be going to Qatar 2022.

This weekend will see more casualties, for sure, whether it be for England, Wales, France or whoever.

A lot of pundits are up in arms about an issue that has been highlighted on these pages for a long while.

But let’s face it, that horse has well and truly bolted.

A World Cup in November and December IS happening. Somehow, it has been allowed to happen and the managers and players have just got to get on with it.

And so, Gareth Southgate will, on Thursday, choose 26 players to travel to Qatar.