Joe Hart ‘NOT picked in England squad for World Cup’

The leak is the first ahead of England’s squad announcement on Wednesday, when Southgate will name his 23-man squad for this summer’s tournament.

Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope is being tipped to usurp Hart, joining Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Stoke City’s Jack Butland on the plane.

The Football Association submitted a provisional 35-man squad to FIFA on Monday, although they asked for it to remain secret ahead of Southgate’s final squad announcement.

With 75 caps, Hart was expected to be the most experienced member of Southgate’s travelling party, but his omission could leave England without a player boasting over 40 caps.

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, on 58 caps, is also fighting for his place, with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson (38) the next most-experienced player.

Hart’s career has spiralled downwards after a disappointing showing at Euro 2016 as England’s No.1.

He was quickly shipped off to Torino on loan by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola later that summer, spending a season with the Serie A side before moving to West Ham for another error-ridden spell.

If the snub is confirmed, it surely spells the end for the 31-year-old's international career – a sad fall for a player who went into the last World Cup in Brazil as England’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

England face Nigeria at Wembley Stadium on June 2 in a pre-tournament friendly, before playing Costa Rica at Elland Road on June 7.

They commence their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18, with Panama and Belgium completing Group G.