Gareth Southgate expressed his disappointment that he wasn’t able to call upon Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in his World Cup squad.

The Liverpool midfielder was enjoying a fine season at Anfield until he suffered a serious knee injury in the Reds’ 5-2 win over Roma in the Champions League.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was set to be included in Southgate’s England squad but he instead had to turn his attentions elsewhere.

“We’ve also had a couple of injuries with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez, which is a huge blow for them personally and disappointing for us,” Southgate said.

With Oxlade-Chamberlain out, Southgate’s midfield options now include Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph.

England set up in a 3-1-4-2 formation in their March friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy, meaning the middle of the pitch is occupied with a defensive midfielder and then two central players.

But without Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rio Ferdinand is concerned about just how England will transition the ball from midfield to attack.

Ferdinand's England concern

The former Manchester United and England midfielder wonders how the likes of Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane will get the ball, pointing out that Henderson and Dier aren’t naturally comfortable with progressing play.

“If he plays Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier holding, who is going to get those attacking players the ball?,” Ferdinand told The Sun.

“They don’t play those balls through the lines as quickly and efficiently as a [Michael] Carrick or a [Paul] Scholes would.

“This is why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a big miss. He’s someone who can turn defence into attack quickly from midfield areas.

“Does he drop [Jesse] Lingard in there in a three, who is elusive and moves brilliantly with or without the ball? Does he put Dele back in there?

"There’s questions over every player in the midfield areas, whether they are the right man for the job.”

Ferdinand raises a valid point.

Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoyed a fine debut season at Liverpool and his performance in the 3-0 victory over Manchester City in April was tremendous.

England certainly could have done with his direct approach in Russia.