Chris Wildgoose | Sports Journalist

Again, there is no place for Andros Townsend, despite his impressive form with Crystal Palace. There’s a distinct lack of left-footed attackers in the England team with Michail Antonio, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling and Theo Walcott set to battle for a starting berth on the flanks.

Daniel Sturridge is once more preferred to Jermain Defoe up front, who must be wondering what more he has to do to earn a place in the Three Lions set-up. The Sunderland striker hasn’t featured for his country since May 2013, but is arguably England’s most in-form marksman with four Premier League goals already this season.

At least Marcus Rashford has been rewarded for his fine displays with a call-up to the senior squad, but if Kane had been fit would there have been a place for the Manchester United prodigy?

The decision for Wayne Rooney to retain the captain’s armband is possibly the only decision Southgate made with any real conviction, but is a choice that lacked any real inspiration. Recent performances for club and country have been abject at best from England’s record goalscorer and his days at the top level appear to be numbered.

It’s disappointing that there has been no real excitement about an England team since the 2006 World Cup – a competition where the spine of the team was in its prime and would walk into any team in world football. The partnership of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry was arguably the best at international level, while Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were capable of moments of brilliance to rival any on the elite stage. Had it not been for penalty shoot-out nightmares, who knows how much our so-called ‘Golden Generation’ would have achieved.

Gone are the days of excitement about an England team, gone are the days of expectation. When braver decisions are made and more players are in the squad on merit rather than name might be the day we hear the Three Lions roar once again.