MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 07:49:14| >> :60:927:927:

Three England players still hoping to force their way into Gareth Southgate's plans for World Cup

Sports Mole looks at three players still hoping to force their way into the England squad for the 2022 World Cup.

England will round off their UEFA Nations League campaign with clashes against Italy and Germany on September 23 and September 26 respectively.

The Three Lions will then firmly switch their attention to the 2022 World Cup, which begins for them with a clash against Iran on November 21.

Gareth Southgate's side will also face United States and Wales in the group stage of the competition, and it will be fascinating to see how the national team perform in the upcoming major tournament, having finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup.

The majority of England's squad for the World Cup appears to have been decided, but there are certainly still some spots open in the selection.

With that in mind, Sports Mole looks at three players who will be hopeful of forcing their way into Southgate's plans for the competition in Qatar.


Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United on August 7, 2022© Reuters

Marcus Rashford had a difficult 2021-22 campaign for Man United, but the 24-year-old has reignited his career in the early stages of this season, scoring three times and registering two assists in six league appearances.

The forward was excellent in his side's last Premier League game against leaders Arsenal, scoring twice and providing one assist, but he missed out against Sheriff Tiraspol last time out through injury.

Rashford would have allegedly been able to join up with the Three Lions squad had he been selected, but Southgate decided to overlook the attacker once again.

The Man United academy product has scored 12 times in 46 caps for England but has not been involved since Euro 2020 and faces competition from a number of players to break back into the set up.

"It is only eight weeks until we will be naming our squad for Qatar so every minute counts," Southgate told reporters after announcing his latest squad. "He [Rashford] is a player we know well so if he can perform at a high level in the next few weeks, he of course will be under consideration."

Rashford will be difficult to ignore if he continues his strong form for Man United.


Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring their first goal with Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes on September 1, 2022© Reuters

Jadon Sancho was widely expected to be named in the latest squad due to his strong form for Man United in the opening weeks of this season, but he was once again ignored by Southgate.

The 22-year-old had a difficult first season at Old Trafford but has been in strong form this term, scoring three times in eight appearances, including two goals in six Premier League outings.

Sancho has represented England on 23 occasions, scoring three times, but he has not been involved for the national team for over a year.

Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are certainties to head to the World Cup as attacking options, but Sancho will feel that he is good enough to move past the likes of Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney in the pecking order.

Sancho has benefitted from Erik ten Hag's coaching at Man United this season, and it will also be tough for Southgate to overlook him if his impressive form continues.

It might well be Rashford or Sancho in the squad rather than both, though, and it will be interesting to see how both players perform during an incredibly busy October at club level.


Ben White (Arsenal)

Ben White in action for Arsenal on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Ben White's absence from the England squad was also a surprise considering that he has been a key player for an Arsenal side currently sitting at the top of the Premier League table.

The fact that the 24-year-old has played at right-back this season has more than likely counted against him here, with Southgate's squad already full of right-sided full-backs.

The form of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes has seen White play at full-back for the Gunners this term, and he was again in strong form against Brentford at the weekend.

Central defence is a problem for Southgate, especially with Harry Maguire not playing for Man United at this moment in time, and it would be a surprise if White was overlooked for the World Cup.

Fikayo Tomori's form for AC Milan could take him into the final squad, but White will surely feel that he should be included over the likes of Conor Coady and Marc Guehi.

The Arsenal defender played in England's friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast in March but was then overlooked for the Nations League games back in June.

ID:495077:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7900:
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Liverpool on September 13, 2022
Read Next:
Five England players with a point to prove to Gareth Southgate
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!