Wednesday 28 March 2018 12:44, UK
Gareth Southgate has some tough decisions to make. With friendlies against Netherlands and Italy out of the way, he must now finalise his 23-man England squad for the World Cup.
Southgate has said "there will be 30 or 31 players in contention" for a place on the plane to Russia but he is expected to narrow that down ahead of the friendly with Nigeria on June 2, with the deadline on June 4.
Here, we take a look at who is likely to make the cut, which players will be hoping for a strong finish to the Premier League season to force their way into Southgate's thinking, and the surprise selections the England boss might turn to…
Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Kieran Trippier, John Stones, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford
Having shared the No1 jersey against Netherlands and Italy, Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland are clearly Southgate's top two when it comes to goalkeeper options. Ahead of them in defence, England regulars Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and John Stones will be on the plane to Russia, with Kieran Trippier now filling a key position at right wing-back in Southgate's favoured 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 formations.
Eric Dier offers an option in defence and midfield, while Jordan Henderson is a senior presence in the middle of the park and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's versatility also makes him a probable choice. Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford have been consistent picks in support of strikers Jamie Vardy and likely captain Harry Kane.
Joe Hart, Ashley Young, Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez, Phil Jones, Ryan Bertrand, Jake Livermore, Adam Lallana, Danny Welbeck
Despite his struggles for form, Joe Hart's experience and mentality is expected to earn him a place among the goalkeeping trio, while defenders Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez and Ryan Bertrand have all won plaudits from Southgate and Phil Jones will be in contention.
Ashley Young's ability to play in a range of positions boosts his chances, while Jake Livermore has been a regular pick in defensive midfield under Southgate. Adam Lallana should be back in the frame once up to full fitness and Danny Welbeck, despite patchy club form, continues to offer England a tireless option in attack.
Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Fabian Delph, Jack Wilshere, James Tarkowski, Alfie Mawson, Gary Cahill, Michael Keane, Theo Walcott, Michail Antonio
Another injury sustained in the latest England camp was a further setback for Jack Wilshere's hopes of a place on the plane and he will have to prove he is in peak condition when the squad is named. James Tarkowski and Alfie Mawson's hopes will have been raised after a place in the latest squad, but fellow centre-back Michael Keane knows his form will have to improve if he is to return to the camp, after being involved in November and then left out in March.
Gary Cahill could be a high-profile absentee this summer, having lost his Chelsea place, while Southgate has been critical of Chris Smalling's ball-playing ability. Fabian Delph could force his way into contention as one of the surprise successes at Manchester City, but Luke Shaw being out of favour at Manchester United will damage his chances and Theo Walcott and Michail Antonio will likely need injuries in wide areas to occur for them to be considered.
Nick Pope, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Cook, Ben Mee, Lewis Dunk, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Harry Winks, Danny Drinkwater, Jonjo Shelvey, Ross Barkley, Ryan Sessegnon, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, James Ward-Prowse, Jamaal Lascelles, Jack Cork, Nathaniel Chalobah, Andros Townsend, Daniel Sturridge, Callum Wilson, Tammy Abraham, Glenn Murray, Dominic Solanke, Andy Carroll
Southgate has experimented with a large number of players during his time in charge and shown he's not afraid to promote youth team players to the senior squad - so there is a long list of outsiders who will maintain hopes of a call from the manager.
Nick Pope might count himself unlucky should he miss out on a goalkeeper place, given the fine season he's had, while the World Cup may come just too soon for hot young talents such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Harry Winks, Lewis Cook, Dominic Solanke, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Ryan Sessegnon and injured Nathaniel Chalobah.
Tammy Abraham, Jack Cork and James Ward-Prowse have all been involved in recent squads but would be surprise selections for Russia, while familiar faces in midfield - Ross Barkley, Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend - appear to be out of the picture. Daniel Sturridge's struggles for form and fitness this season have sent him down the pecking order, Danny Drinkwater's lack of game time at Chelsea is a problem for him, and Southgate's decision not to call up 11-goal Glenn Murray suggests he isn't in the manager's thinking. Andy Carroll will need to be back fit to tempt Southgate as a Plan B.
Who do you think Southgate should select for the World Cup this summer? Pick your England squad using our selector tool below and then join in with the debate in the comments section below.
Comment below to get involved in the debate, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.
