Tomori’s troubles and James injury will worry Southgate as Qatar nears

At this rate Gareth Southgate is going to have to bow to public pressure and stuff his team with attackers when England face Iran in their opening game at the World Cup next month.

The defensive concerns are mounting for England’s manager. If the possibility of John Stones returning from the hamstring injury that forced him off against Germany last month is a positive, then it is counteracted by Harry Maguire’s exile from Manchester United’s starting XI and Kyle Walker undergoing groin surgery last week. Even someone with Walker’s recovery speed will find it hard to win the race to be fit for Qatar and, given there is no guarantee Stones will not break down again, it means there are doubts over every member of Southgate’s ideal back-three.

No pressure, then, Eric Dier. The Tottenham centre-back has enjoyed an impressive return to form under Antonio Conte and currently looks certain to start in the middle of the back-three against Iran.

The problems, though, have continued to pile up for Southgate this week. First came Gabriel Martinelli tormenting Trent Alexander-Arnold before the Liverpool right-back departed with an ankle injury during his team’s defeat by Arsenal last Sunday; then, at San Siro on Tuesday, there was the sight of Reece James going off with a knee injury during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Milan, whose hopes of regaining control of their Champions League group were squashed by Fikayo Tomori being sent off in the 18th minute.

While Graham Potter sounded optimistic about James – it is understood that the right wing-back, who is making himself undroppable for club and country, will not be out for long – the mood around Tomori was gloomier. The defender’s evening was not supposed to end in such rancour and