Alexander-Arnold could make Southgate's World Cup squad

Chelsea right-back Reece James has reportedly 'been exempted' from England's World Cup squad due to injury

According to the Daily Mail, England manager Gareth Southgate is not expected to risk Reece James' health after the Chelsea full-back suffered a knee ligament injury in the Champions League game against AC Milan.

The news is a potential boost for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is now expected to be in the World Cup squad despite not having played a minute for England on the recent international break.

Chelsea boss Graham Porter believes James inclusion in the England squad will depend on how the 22-year-old responds after claims that he's back running on grass.

"I just think it’s how he responds (James being available for World Cup)," Potter explained. "We don’t want to rush anything, I don’t want to put any timescales on it. That’s for him, doctors and physios."

Rumour has it that James is fit enough to join England for the knockout rounds of the World Cup but Southgate is reluctant to take that risk.