Southgate's plan to bring England World Cup success

English publication 'The Daily Mail' reports that the former Middlesbrough boss is planning on deploying Spurs man Eric Dier in the centre of his ball-playing back three for the tournament in order to add silk and steel to his backline.

Southgate had been hoping to experiement with the system during the recent friendlies but a raft of withdrawals meant that Dier had to be used in a holding midfield role instead.

It is understood that Southgate plans to field a back three of John Stones, Eric Dier and Phil Jones, with the idea being that Stones will be able to use his ability on the ball to greater effect on the right side of a three.

The England boss has made no secret of his plan to play three at the back and he recently hinted in an interview that he could see Dier returning to play as a centre-back again in the future.

'I had a really good discussion with his dad over his development (a few years ago),' he explained. 'At that time he wanted to focus on establishing himself with Spurs as a centre-back. He felt that was where he'd play in the future, and it still might be, I think.

'He has a good tactical understanding on the field and is a good sounding board for me.'

Dier is quickly becoming one of Southgate's most trusted lieutenants, having been handed the captain's armband against both Germany and Brazil.

According to the aforementioned source Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are in pole position to claim the wing-back spots, with Jordan Henderson a shoe-in as the holding midfielder. The other two midfield spots are more up for debate but with Adam Lallana close to a return to fitness it is believed that he will take one of the two spots, leaving the likes of Harry Winks, Jack Wilshere, Jake Livermore and Ruben Loftus-Cheek battling it our for the other berth. 

Finally Dele Alli will be deployed behind Harry Kane, who will play the lone striking role.

However, despite all his planning, Southgate insists that there is plenty of time left for players to change his mind.

'Absolutely, other players have time. We have selected on form and what we think the players are capable of,' he said. 'If players are playing well and we are seeing things we think fit into the team, we will pick them.'

Given Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling's impressive starts to the season it would be a surprise to see them left out of the starting line-up in Russia, but plenty can change in seven months.

Despite Alli appearing as a forward here, he is in fact expected to be given a free role.