Gareth Southgate is now just weeks away from announcing who has made his final 26-man squad for next month's 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions have suffered indifferent form as of late and rounded off a disappointing UEFA Nations League campaign by drawing 3-3 with Germany at Wembley back in September. Having already submitted his initial 55-man squad just last week, many players are continuing to stake their own claims heading into the tournament.
With the exception of a few unlikely additions, many watchers on will be able to guess the large majority of players Southgate is likely to ask to board the plane to the Middle East. With injuries however throwing a proverbial spanner in the works, here's all the latest news ahead of the Three Lions boss' major announcement.
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When will the World Cup squad be announced?
Southgate has already submitted his 55-man provisional list to FIFA on October 21 but the details of that squad are not required to be published to the public and the England boss opted against a full announcement. With some tough decisions to make, Southgate must now use the time to rattle down his selected 26 players ahead of the November 13 deadline.
With the Premier League coming to its planned halt very soon, it is expected that Southgate will however announce the official England World Cup squad on November 10.
Who will be in the England squad for the World Cup?
Southgate has shown over the past 18 months just who he feels are his almost go-to players via his team selections. Harry Kane is of course expected to lead the line for the Three Lions and barring a late injury woe, he should make the squad in a few weeks' time.
Regulars including Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jordan Pickford, Mason Mount, Phil Foden and John Stones all look likely to feature, with England's biggest cause for concern being who Southgate choses in attacking midfield. Leicester City man James Maddison has put himself in the best possible position over recent weeks, with key decisions to be made.
Elsewhere, the question remains whether Harry Maguire deserves his place on the plane to Qatar given his poor showings for both club and county over the past 18 months. The defender has struggled for form and fitness and did himself no favors by conceding a penalty against Germany at Wembley back in September's 3-3 draw.
Who is unlikely to be involved through injury?
Reece James is the biggest doubt for England due to a knee injury he sustained against AC Milan in the Champions League earlier this month. Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also doubts heading into the tournament, with widespread issues building up on the right-hand side of defence.
Kalvin Phillips and Emile Smith-Rowe also look likely to miss out, with the Man City star firstly having struggled for game time since his move to the Etihad earlier this summer. Arsenal's Smith-Rowe has continually struggled with groin problems since the start of the 22/23 campaign.
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