BURTON, England -- Luke Shaw could still force his way into England's World Cup squad but boss Gareth Southgate admits Manchester United teammate Ashley Young is in his way.

Shaw last played for England a year ago and has been left out of the squad for friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy this month.

Young, 32, has been included, along with Tottenham's Danny Rose and Southampton's Ryan Bertrand.

Southgate has refused to close the door on Shaw's World Cup chances but hinted Young has got the nod because he is playing more regularly under Jose Mourinho.

"I know [Luke] has made big strides with Jose, Jose is very pleased with him," Southgate said.

Luke Shaw last played for England a year ago. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

"The reality is in the bigger matches Ashley Young gets the nod and I saw him against Liverpool, against [Mohamed] Salah, the other day [and] he was fantastic.

"In that wing-back role, someone like Ashley who has played further forward gives us a different profile. Luke, when we're looking at who might be in when there are issues at that end of the pitch, is definitely in our thoughts."

The squad are due to meet up next week ahead of friendlies against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday and Italy at Wembley on Tuesday.

Harry Kane is sidelined with an ankle injury that will keep him out until next month.

Tottenham teammate Dele Alli has been included and Southgate says he will speak to the midfielder -- and the rest of the players -- about diving, with the 21-year-old caught up in a number of controversies this season.

Southgate added: "We will be talking to all our players about what might get them into disciplinary trouble during the tournament, whether that's how they approach referees, committing fouls in our areas of the pitch, we have to avoid giving free kicks away.

"On all of those areas, it's a good conversation to have.

"I think it [diving] is part of what we have to cover. We will have VAR so that added into the mix will help focus minds."