Gareth Southgate: 'Gary Cahill needs to be playing'

England boss Gareth Southgate has told Gary Cahill that he needs to be playing in order to secure a spot in the Three Lions squad for the 2018 World Cup.

The Chelsea captain was a notable absentee when Southgate named his 27-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Netherlands and Italy before the end of the month.

Cahill has struggled to earn a regular spot in the Chelsea team in recent weeks, and Southgate has conceded that he will find it difficult to pick the 32-year-old if he is not playing on a consistent basis at club level.

"I was really pleased with how we defended during the games in November. On top of that I've got other players like [James] Tarkowski and [Alfie] Mawson I want to have a look at, not just for now but perhaps beyond that, too," Southgate told reporters.

"We've also got Eric Dier, who can play at the back. I don't want to call up a senior player who isn't playing for his club. Gary can still make the World Cup if he is playing."

Cahill has scored four times in 58 appearances for England.