England are facing an Injury crisis at right-back before the World Cup in Qatar. Kyle Walker and Reece James are currently sidelined and Trent Alexander-Arnold is struggling for form.

Gareth Southgate will name his Three Lions squad for the 22nd edition of the quadrennial Fifa tournament in one month. England then begin their tournament in Group B against Iran on November 21, before the United States of America on the 25th and Wales on the 29th.

Kieran Trippier is England’s only fit right-back from Southgate’s UEFA Nations League plans from September. Alexander-Arnold is recovering from an ankle injury, while James suffered a knee injury on Tuesday. Walker also underwent surgery on his groin earlier on this month.

Southgate faces a selection headache over England’s right-back at the World Cup

Walker has often been Southgate’s first-choice right-back for England. But the Manchester City dynamo is in a race against time to be fit for the Qatar World Cup. BBC Sport notes the 32-year-old’s position on their plane to the Middle East will depend on his initial recovery.

James and Alexander-Arnold have much greater odds of making England’s squad after only suffering minor injuries. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has claimed his side got ‘a little lucky’, via the Independent, with Alexander-Arnold due to return in just under one month’s time.

Chelsea are also hopeful James will make a swift recovery from his knee injury, the Evening Standard reports. Initial scans revealed the issue he sustained against AC Milan was not as serious as the club first feared. It is possible that the 22-year-old returns in just two weeks.

Southgate started James at right-back in England’s Nations League loss to Italy last month. The Chelsea ace also opened their 3-3 draw with Germany. Walker also started the tie with Italy as the Three Lions’ right-sided centre-half, a role he has often held thanks to his pace.

Alexander-Arnold has only featured once in England’s past six fixtures after starting the 1-0 defeat in Hungary this June. He is also struggling to demonstrate his defensive ability in the Premier League. Opposing forwards have regularly found ways to beat him so far this term.

So even if Alexander-Arnold recovers from his injury, the Liverpool maestro is by no means guaranteed to start for England at the Qatar World Cup. With doubts over Walker’s fitness, as well, HITC Football has taken a look at Southgate’s possible alternate right-back options.

Arsenal star Ben White headlines England’s alternate World Cup right-back options

Arsenal star Ben White headlines England’s alternate right-back options for the World Cup in Qatar. He is naturally a centre-half but has proven under Mikel Arteta this term that he can also be a brilliant presence at full-back. So, he could give Southgate depth in two positions.

The 25-year-old is growing into his role as a right-back with each outing with the Gunners. White has shown he is not afraid to push up the pitch and help connect Arsenal’s attacks. His background as a centre-half is also helping the four-cap international at the other end.

White will feel majorly hard done by if Southgate overlooks his performances when picking England’s World Cup team. The £50m talent did not make the Three Lions’ Nations League side in September. He earned his only inclusion in a squad since Euro 2020 back in March.

Kyle Walker-Peters could build on his England debut in March

Kyle Walker-Peters could build on his England debut from March at the World Cup given Southgate’s injury issues at right-back. The Three Lions boss called the Southampton star up for the first time for friendlies and fielded him against both Switzerland and Ivory Coast.

The 25-year-old is also familiar with the five-at-the-back shape Southgate is currently using and can feature at left-back if needed. His attacking ability would not go amiss in Qatar, as well, as Walker-Peters can find pockets of space and deliver a stream of balls into the box.

Fikayo Tomori could get a World Cup lifeline with his ability to play at right-back

England’s injury issues at right-back could give Fikayo Tomori’s hopes of going to the 2022 World Cup a lifeline. The AC Milan defender is clearly down Southgate’s pecking order as a centre-half, having only made the bench in Italy and not make the squad against Germany.

Clearly, Southgate sees something in Tomori that he does not like and has stuck with Harry Maguire despite him not playing for Manchester United. But Tomori regularly impresses in Serie A through his ability to recover possession and can slot in at full-back with his speed.

Joe Gomez could take advantage of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury blow

Joe Gomez could take advantage of his Liverpool teammate, Alexander-Arnold, picking up an ankle injury. The 25-year-old often struggles to hold down a role in Klopp’s backline at Anfield, especially as a centre-half. But he now has a fresh chance to shine from full-back.

The 11-cap England ace, who Southgate last called up in October 2020, should now slot in for his often-favoured compatriot. That was the case as Liverpool beat Rangers 7-1 in the Champions League, with Gomez providing a physical challenge for the dynamic Ryan Kent.

James Tavernier may have his eyes set on a maiden England call-up in Qatar

James Tavernier may have his eyes set on earning a maiden England call-up at any level for the World Cup. The 30-year-old from Bradford has never laced up his boots to play for the Three Lions. Yet the Rangers captain can be a prolific creator and a solid defender in Qatar.

The Gers skipper has produced a stellar creative record since his move to Ibrox in 2015. He has 87 goals and 111 assists from 364 appearances in all competitions. He offered 19 goals and 16 assists in 2020/21, 18 goals and 17 assists last term and has four of each this term.

Tavernier would also offer England a penalty expert at the World Cup, having scored 45 of his 55 career attempts. He has only missed two of his past 18 attempts from 12 yards out – including converting twice against Borussia Dortmund during the 2021/22 Europa League.

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