England's World Cup 2018 squad - ranked: Who's on the plane to Russia?
In just 89 days' time England will walk out in Volograd to face Tunisia in their opening game at the 2018 World Cup.
It doesn't seem like a very long time when the squad is as weak as that which Gareth Southgate has named for the upcoming friendlies against Holland and Italy, in what is the final international break before England meet up for the warm-up games and tournament itself.
Here, Telegraph Sport makes an attempt to second guess Southgate by naming the squad we think will be on the plane to Russia this summer, also assessing the players who still have a decent shot at making the cut, as well as those whose chances are fading by the day. Here goes...
The rank outsiders
There are plenty of players that are currently a long way off the squad but remain on Southgate's radar and could make a late tilt for the squad. There are a fair few holes to be filled, so their chances aren't all that slim at all.
In goal, Fraser Forster and Tom Heaton's chances of going to Russia are looking pretty bleak. Forster has had a poor campaign at Southampton, losing his place to Alex McCarthy in December, thought he may hope that Mark Hughes' arrival could changes things for him. Heaton, meanwhile, has spent the season out injured and doesn't look like he'll be getting much first team football in the run-in.
Leighton Baines is back from injury and playing so could sneak in as a back-up left-back, while Luke Shaw, grossly mistreated by Jose Mourinho of late, desperately needs a consistent run of games if he is to have a chance of making the squad.
Jose Mourinho's treatment of Luke Shaw is tired and vindictive - this is not tough love
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold requires an injury to one of the players ahead of him if he is to make the cut, while there are many, many back-up options in the centre of defence. So many, in fact, that even as close to the World Cup as we currently are it is almost impossible to predict who will actually be in the squad.
It is, however, almost certain that Chris Smalling will not be be going to Russia. Southgate does not consider the Manchester United defender capable of playing out from the back in the way he'd like, and he hasn't made the current squad despite being fit and playing regularly.
It wasn't so long ago that Harry Winks was talked about as the answer to England's prayers for midfield technician, but injury and the form of his Spurs team-mates have disrupted his season. He needs a minor miracle to make the squad. Danny Drinkwater is another central midfield option who needs a vast change in his circumstances to be in with a shout. Jack Cork, called up for the last international break, seems to have fallen out of favour. Ross Barkley has barely played all season and barring a swift recovery from his hamstring injury and a return to form, he will miss out.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Nathan Redmond, Michail Antonio, Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke all have rapidly fading chances of making the squad. With such a dearth of in-form strikers, Daniel Sturridge just needs to find a way back to fitness, though for him that is a big ask.
Nine who just miss out...
32. Aaron Cresswell
Another decent option at left-back but has fallen down the pecking order with West Ham enduring such a woeful season.
31. Michael Keane
Keane's England chances have actually slimmed since his £30m summer move to Everton, who have leaked goals freely all season. His omission from the current squad is telling. Keane will need a lot to change in the run-in to jump the queue.
30. Jake Livermore
So reliable, but isn't playing much at the worst side in the Premier League. Livermore made the latest squad because Southgate knows he can trust him, but quite what he would bring to a World Cup squad where places are so limited is beyond most of us.
29. Danny Welbeck
Needs to be playing more (and better) for Arsenal if he is to make the squad. Southgate admitted Welbeck is only in the current squad as a replacement for the injured Harry Kane, and without a significant up-turn in his form or further injuries to his competitors, he'll be left at home.
28. James Tarkowski
A decent centre-back but his rise has surely come too late.
27. Alfie Mawson
So. Many. Central. Defenders.
England are well-stocked in central defence, but Mawson has impressed sufficiently to make the latest squad. Good on the ball, with an exceptional passing range, but still remains an outsider for the squad.
26. Joe Gomez
An exciting youngster who can play anywhere across the backline, Gomez is a player who Southgate like the look of, in particular how comfortable he is bringing the ball out of defence. If he continues to play for Liverpool there's no reason he could sneak into the squad.
25. Gary Cahill
Not long ago Cahill was a shoo-in for the squad, and another option for the captaincy. He is another leader and another voice that Southgate would value in the dressing room, but losing his place in the Chelsea team looks like it could prove fatal. If he gets back to playing regularly he'll go to Russia, but time is running out.
24. Joe Hart
Increasing numbers of fans believe the end is nigh for Hart, but he keeps on batting his doubters out of the park. He is back in the West Ham team - for the time being at least - and is again in the squad. However, this call-up is for his experience, and on form, he surely cannot be selected.
The final 23... as things stand
23. Nick Pope
Has been a revelation for Burnley and one of the Premier League's best goalkeepers this season. I, for one, believe Pope should start for England in the upcoming friendlies, and then this summer if he acquits himself well.
Why Nick Pope must start in goal for England
22. Ashley Young
Has played at left-back in the main this season but England have plenty of option there so Young could be included as one of few wingers available to Southgate. Has experience and a winning mentality, both of which will appeal to the England manager.
21. Fabian Delph
Has improved markedly under the Premier League's best manager and provides a good option at both left-back and in central midfield.
20. Harry Maguire
A man mountain of a defender who is comfortable on the ball and Southgate likes. Should be in the squad.
19. Phil Jones
Had looked like he might have overcome all his injury problems at the start of the season, and was back to his best, but a hamstring injury has sidelined him for the last month. He will go straight back into the United team if he regains his fitness, and the same could probably be said of England. It is an absolutely huge 'if', though.
18. Jack Wilshere
Probably the most talented player of this whole generation and has seemingly overcome his injury problems. Southgate mentioned the fact that Wilshere has been playing in Arsenal's important games as crucial to his inclusion in the latest squad, and if that continues, he'll go to Russia.
17. Adam Lallana
It's been so disappointing to see Lallana's World Cup hopes derailed by persistent injury problems all season. He can do things no other England player does plays a vital role pulling the strings behind the strikers. As long as he is fit he'll be in the squad. Fingers crossed for the next two months.
16. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Playing regularly for Liverpool and as long as that continues, he is certain to make the squad. Oxlade can play in a number of different positions and would be an interesting alternative at right wing-back if Southgate plays three at the back as expected.
15. Kieran Trippier
Trippier is the latest Tottenham full-back to benefit from the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino, and his improvement this season has been vast. Won't dislodge Walker as first-choice on the right side of defence but provides good competition.
14. Jesse Lingard
A player who divides opinion but remains important for one of the best teams in the country, so he must be doing something right. End product still lacks but he carries the ball well and every so often scores a big goal.
13. Danny Rose
Back in the fold at Spurs after a long absence through injury, but still far, far from anything like his free-wheeling best. Struggling to displace Ben Davies and might struggle to start for England as a result.
If Harry Kane misses out...
12. Ryan Bertrand
All but guaranteed a place in the England squad, and stands a decent chance of starting.
11. Jack Butland
Hasn't had the best season but will benefit from the fact that there is a great amount of competition. Has been talked about as a future England number one for years and he will still harbour ambitions that this summer will be the start of an extended period between the sticks for his country, but he still has much to prove.
10. Jordan Pickford
As things stand Pickford is probably, just about, first choice, but there is a long way to go, yet.
9. Marcus Rashford
One of the most exciting young players on the planet, Rashford has been hindered by a lack of game time for United but two goals against Liverpool last week Liverpool will have raised hopes he can hit some form in time for the World Cup.
He has worked hard on his delivery from set-pieces and that is really starting to show. Southgate will be praying Rashford gets a run of games in the coming months.
8. John Stones
A real concern for England, Stones has lost his place in the City team and he is precisely the kind of player Southgate wants in his back three. He has played a fair amount this season and will hope to get enough game time in the run-in that he will go to Russia.
7. Jordan Henderson
Far from an inspiring selection but a model professional that managers consistently love. Another leader and potentially England captain next summer, it will take something drastic for Henderson not to make the squad.
6. Jamie Vardy
Goals, goals, goals. England don't have too many options up front and Vardy, who frequently scores in big games, will be an important player - if only from the bench - in Russia.
5. Eric Dier
Versatile, professional, comfortable on the ball, scores free-kicks (well one, at Euro 2016). Is there anything Dier can't do? Still so young but already a complete player.
The fact he can play in so many different positions means it isn't currently clear where he'll play for England, but the latest suggestion is he'll be in defence. Either way, he'll be on the plane.
4. Kyle Walker
Even better at City than he was at Spurs, Walker actually looks like something resembling a £50m full-back, and will be first-choice in Russia.
3. Raheem Sterling
His form has slowed after a barnstorming start, but the improvement under Pep Guardiola has been such that he is guaranteed to start in Russia.
The worry is that England lack a passer, like a David Silva or a Kevin De Bruyne who does so much for Sterling, but he could thrive with greater responsibility.
2. Dele Alli
It feels like the World Cup is made for Dele Alli. He loves the big stage, and he loves a big goal. He found it tough at Euro 2016 but that experience should help him this time around. A guaranteed starter.
1. Harry Kane
There would have to be an apocalypse for Kane not to be in Russia next summer. Scores goals for fun, and does so in the biggest games against the best teams. Injury has ruled him out of the current squad, but not much longer beyond that, so he'll lead the line in Russia.
The final 23-man squad?
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Nick Pope
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, John Stones, Phil Jones, Harry Maguire
Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dele Alli, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Fabian Delph, Ashley Young
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford
