England’s World Cup base for Russia 2018 will be plush ForRestMix club just outside St Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland

GARETH SOUTHGATE has chosen the Russian village of Repino as England’s base for the World Cup next summer.

It is understood the 107-room ForRestMix club, on a secluded part of the Gulf of Finland and 19 miles outside St Petersburg, has been identified by the Football Association out of 70-plus venues from Fifa’s brochure.

England could seal qualification for the finals if they beat Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday night.

Staff at the hotel have confirmed that Southgate has already flown in to see the facilities but the announcement has been held back until England are assured of their place in the tournament.

The hotel boasts its own spa and medical spa as well as three restaurants and two bars.

Boss Southgate is taking a calculated risk by choosing such a quiet location, an hour away from the nearest airport, with England players left feeling bored and isolated at previous tournaments such as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa under Fabio Capello.

St Petersburg is in northern Russia, meaning a potential long travel to places such as Sochi if they’re scheduled to play there.

For the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, England used the Urca military base as their home with Sugar Loaf Mountain as a backdrop.

Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to line up for England on Thursday night — despite a nightmare start to his Anfield career.

The Ox, 24, has struggled since his deadline day £35million move from Arsenal but should get his 30th cap on the right wing against Slovenia.

He started the 2-1 win over Slovakia at Wembley on September 4 but has managed only 164 minutes for Liverpool since then.

His sole start was the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leicester, while his performances have drawn stinging criticism from Reds fans.