Southgate: I wanted Adam Lallana in Russia

England boss Gareth Southgate has revealed that he was desperate to have Adam Lallana available for the 2018 World Cup.

Lallana only made 13 appearances for Liverpool last term due to injury, and was ultimately left out of Southgate’s squad for the tournament in Russia after failing to recover from a hamstring problem.

The 30-year-old has been named in the squad for the upcoming fixtures with Spain and Switzerland, however, and Southgate has commented on the importance of the versatile attacker.

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“Adam is a player that has had a big contribution for us. When you look at the squad I’ve named, all of that squad should be available for two years’ time,” Southgate told reporters.

“We don’t want to waste time looking at new things. We have to continue to progress but we’re working off a solid foundation this time. Adam is definitely a player that falls in the category of, if he had been fit he would have definitely come with us in the summer.”

Lallana has scored three times in 34 appearances for England since his debut in 2013.