World Cup squad: Trio set for the axe from Gareth Southgate

England's Joe Hart: World Cup dreams appear to have gone up in smoke.

Manager Gareth Southgate will name his 23-man squad for the summer tournament today and looks set to omit the three high-profile figures.

The satisfaction of those selected will contrast with the disappointment of those missing out on Russia 2018, with the experienced Hart expected to miss the cut. Widespread reports emerged yesterday evening that Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has also been told he will not be travelling, with the same applying for Chelsea’s Dronfield-born defender Cahill.

Wilshere has not played for his country since the Euro 2016 exit to Iceland, but was in line to start against Holland in March before injury put his World Cup hopes in jeopardy.

Manchester City’s versatile Fabian Delph, a former Leeds United player, is said to have been included by Southgate, with Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski part of the group on standby.

Southgate is reported to have called 75-cap goalkeeper Hart on Monday evening to tell him he would not be in the squad.

Uncapped Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope could get the nod to make the trip alongside Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland.

The trio boast just nine caps between them, yet former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes Southgate would be right to leave Hart at home.

“In my eyes it’s the right decision,” said former England defender Ferdinand. “What is Joe Hart going to learn from going to this World Cup? He has been to a World Cup before, he has played tournament football before.

“What is Gareth Southgate going to learn about him? Whereas a young kid...

“I went to the World Cup in ‘98, didn’t play one minute of football, but it was a great learning curve for me. When I went to the next World Cup and played in 2002, I didn’t have anything I needed to learn, I wasn’t apprehensive about things. I’d already seen what the best methods were.

“Taking a young kid to go there and experience that I think is a much better way to go.”

England have warm-up friendlies against Nigeria at Wembley on June 2 and Costa Rica in Leeds on June 7, ahead of the Group G opener against Tunisia on June 18.