The defenders' chances of making the summer tournament are only improving according to the bookies.
Newcastle United’s good start to Premier League life continued on Saturday as they defeated Stoke 2-1 at St James’ Park. They now sit in fourth place above the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool.
Their captain and centre back, Jamaal Lascelles, has scored the winner for his side in their last two matches. Therefore, it is no surprise his name is beginning to be thought of when debate arises over who will make the England World Cup squad. He has represented England 12 times for the U18, U19, U20 and U21 sides.
The 23-year-old was available at 33/1 before his late winner at Swansea last week, and another goal and three points for the Magpies has seen his odds cut to as short as 12/1. 18/1 is still on offer with one bookmaker.
Another centre back looking ever more likely to be chosen by Gareth Southgate is Manchester United’s Phil Jones. After making his Three Lions debut back in 2011, he has managed just 23 caps, struggling with form and injuries.
In August, you could have got Jones as big as 4/1 to be going to Russia in the summer. However, Jose Mourinho looks to have the centre-half back to his best. He has now started all five of the Red Devils’ league matches, keeping four clean sheets.
When Southgate came out and praised Jones as England’s best defender at the start of the month, his odds were cut to even money. Since then he has done nothing to harm his chances, and he is now 1/2 with one bookmaker to be in the 23-man squad. Only Gary Cahill and John Stones (1/5) are shorter than him in the betting, whilst Michael Keane is the same best price at 8/11.
Oddschecker spokesman, George Elek: ‘Southgate will be unlikely to take any players to Russia who are struggling for form or fitness, so it comes as no surprise that two of the Premier League's in-form defenders are being backed to make the plane. Lascelles is a captain with a goalscoring knack whose first call-up is surely just a matter of time, whilst Jones would surely travel to the World Cup should he keep his Man Utd starting berth ahead of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof.’
