Nicholas puzzled by Wilshere exclusion

"Are Harry Winks, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jordan Henderson or Eric Dier better players than Wilshere? Absolutely not," Nicholas told 'Sky Sports' after the 25-year-old was shunned by Southgate.

"It isn't about patting somebody on the back and saying well done for playing well, it is about getting a squad ready for a major tournament.

"Two years ago we were saying he was the future. It's not about the future now and when you look at England's dull and bland midfield then he offers you something.

"If Raheem Sterling can take his Manchester City form into playing for his country, Adam Lallana gets fit and Wilshere comes in along with Dele Alli and Harry Kane then you suddenly go wow, that is an exciting team.

"With Henderson and Dier in there you are just relying on Alli and Kane to do what they are doing for Spurs, but it doesn't work like that in international football.

"That team is boring and bland and nearly lost to Scotland. You have to give talent an opportunity rather than block it. I don't think he dares to pick creative players and this decision shows that."

Nicholas also says the two fixtures would have been the perfect opportunity to bring the Arsenal man back into the fold at international level.

He added: "Everybody knows what everybody else is doing so why not feed Wilshere in? You need to introduce him into the system with a new manager if he's going to really contribute to the World Cup.

"These are two friendlies so what have you got to lose about putting him in with Winks and Henderson. What happens if they get two or three injuries, then he won't be ready.

"I genuinely don't understand why you wouldn't introduce him and now the questions will come as to whether Southgate really fancies him.

"It's going to be February or March for him to have another chance and that is very late to be working him into your team."