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Wilshere, Barkley, Walcott...Who will make England's World Cup squad?

NICE, FRANCE - JUNE 27:  Jack Wilshire of England reacts during the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match between England and Iceland at Allianz Riviera Stadium
Image: Will Jack Wilshere make the England squad?

England are going to the 2018 World Cup - but which players will be going to Russia?

Gareth Southgate's side booked their spot at the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Slovenia on Thursday, and now thoughts turn to who Southgate will pick in his 23-man squad next summer.

With the help of Sky Bet's odds, we take a look at the sure-fire starters, those pushing for a place, and the outsiders...

Goalkeepers

Jack Butland has only made one England appearance since April 2016 but is still the favourite at 1/5 to make the squad ahead of Joe Hart (2/9), Jordan Pickford (1/4) and Fraser Forster (6/4).

Stoke's Butland only returned to action recently after being out for more than a year with an ankle injury sustained while playing for England.

Burnley's Tom Heaton, who is currently out injured, is 3/1 to be one of Southgate's three goalkeepers while West Brom's Ben Foster is an outsider at 16/1.

Jack Butland in England training
Image: Jack Butland is battling for a starting spot in goal

Full-backs

Having started against Slovenia on Thursday, Ryan Bertand (1/5) and Kyle Walker (1/10) look set to make the squad. Danny Rose (1/8) is also expected to be included, although he has been out injured since January 2017, while another Tottenham full-back, Kieran Trippier, is odds-on at 8/15.

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Liverpool have three full-backs who could make the squad, although Nathaniel Clyne (13/8) has not played this season due to injury and Joe Gomez (10/1) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (3/1) likely need to do more to impress this campaign.

Ryan Bertrand of England and Roman Bezjak of Slovenia battle for the ball during the FIFA 2018 World Cup  Group F Qualifier
Image: Ryan Bertrand looks set to go to Russia

Manchester United's Luke Shaw (4/1) has made just one appearance this season but did play for England against Germany in March.

West Brom's Kieran Gibbs (6/1), Leicester's Ben Chilwell (14/1) and Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon (20/1) are rated as outsiders.

Sky Bet's England Specials
Sky Bet's England Specials

Who will be on the plane? Find Sky Bet's England Specials here.

Centre-backs

Who will be England's first-choice centre-back pairing in Russia? Gary Cahill (1/12) and John Stones (1/8) started against Slovenia while Michael Keane (4/9) came on as a late substitute.

That trio look set to be in the squad, but will Manchester United duo Phil Jones (4/6) and Chris Smalling (2/1) both be included? Leicester's Harry Maguire (1/2) was called up by England for the first time for the World Cup Qualifiers in September but is yet to make an international appearance.

Swansea's Alfie Mawson (6/1), Arsenal's Rob Holding (10/1), Newcastle's Jamaal Lascelles (14/1) and Burnley's James Tarkowski (22/1) are among those deemed to have outside shots.

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Sky Sports News chief reporter Bryan Swanson gives the lowdown on what fans can look forward to in Russia at the 2018 World Cup

Central midfielders

This looks as though it could be one of the trickiest areas for Southgate.

Eric Dier (1/8) and Jordan Henderson (1/5) look certain to be in the squad, but who will join them in midfield?

Jake Livermore (evens) has emerged as a surprise contender after featuring in recent World Cup Qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia. However, Ross Barkley (7/4) might face a battle as he is only set to return from injury later this year. The Everton midfielder could also be on the move in January when he will have only six months left on his current deal.

Ross Barkley of England in action during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E qualifying match between England and Estonia at Wembley
Image: Ross Barkley could make a move in January

Nathaniel Chalobah (5/2) will hope his summer move to Watford will boost his chances, although he is yet to make an England appearance. Chelsea's Danny Drinkwater and Tottenham's Harry Winks are both rated as 4/1 chances along with Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, who has recently returned to fitness but has not played for England since Euro 2016.

Fabian Delph (9/2) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (11/2) would provide versatile options for Southgate while Newcastle duo Jonjo Shelvey (10/1) and Isaac Hayden (16/1) could stake their claims with strong seasons in the Premier League.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05:  Harry Winks of England warms up prior to the FIFA 2018 World Cup  Group F Qualifier between England and Slovenia at Wembley
Image: Could Tottenham's Harry Winks go to Russia?

Attacking midfielders

Dele Alli (1/12), Raheem Sterling (1/12), Adam Lallana (1/14) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (4/6) are all odds-on to be included in the squad, but there could be competition for the wider roles.

Jesse Lingard (5/4), Michail Antonio (15/8), Theo Walcott (7/2) and Nathan Redmond (4/1) are among the contenders, with Demarai Gray (6/1), Andros Townsend (7/1) and Scott Sinclair (8/1) also potentially pushing for a place.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05:  Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of England reacts by kicking a bottle as he is substituted during the FIFA 2018 World Cup  Group F Q
Image: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was frustrated to be substituted against Slovenia

Walcott's last England appearance was in a friendly against Spain in November 2016 while West Ham's Antonio is yet to make his international debut.

Then there's Manchester United's Ashley Young (7/1), who could also play at full-back if needed, and Everton's Tom Davies (6/1), with Huddersfield's Tom Ince (11/1) and Leicester's Marc Albrighton (18/1) rated as outside shots.

Strikers

Harry Kane (1/16) looks likely to be one of the first names on the team sheets, perhaps even more so if he remains as captain, as he was against Slovenia, when he scored the winner.

Marcus Rashford (1/12) also seems secured of a spot, but otherwise there appears to be opportunities, depending how many strikers Southgate decides to take.

Harry Kane celebrates after scoring England's late winner against Slovenia
Image: Harry Kane captained England against Slovenia

Jamie Vardy (1/2) is the only other odds-on forward, but will Daniel Sturridge (7/4) or Jermain Defoe (7/4) be included in the squad? Sturridge has battled injury problems over the last few seasons while Defoe will be 35 when the tournament starts.

The Bournemouth striker has scored just once this season, but said in June: "I want to be in Russia, 100 per cent. If I continue scoring goals, then I believe the manager will take me."

Andy Carroll (4/1) is another player who has had injury issues, but his aerial presence would give Southgate a different option. So too would Stoke's Peter Crouch, although he is priced at 33/1.

Other options included Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7/1), West Brom's Jay Rodriguez (7/1), Tammy Abraham (7/1), who is on loan at Swansea from Chelsea, and Liverpool's Dominic Solanke (12/1).

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