England 2018 World Cup squad: Who's on the plane, who's in contention, who could miss out?

Who has a place on the plane and who is at risk of missing out entirely?

England booked their place at next summer's World Cup in Russia with a late and less than convincing win over Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday night, qualifying with one match to spare.

Once Sunday's dead rubber in Lithuania is out of the way, Gareth Southgate's thoughts will turn to a series of pre-tournament friendlies, December's group phase draw and his main task between now and next June: selecting a final 23-man squad.

Southgate has plenty of options in some positions, less in others, but he will already have an idea of who he plans to include.

Whose place in Russia is already assured, who is in contention and who is at risk of missing out entirely?

On the plane

Harry Kane

Simply England’s best and most important player, Kane could well be Southgate’s full-time captain by the time the tournament comes around.

Dele Alli

Barring a spate of middle-fingered salutes, Alli is assured of a place in the squad for Russia, though Southgate must work on extracting the best out of his partnership with club team-mate Kane.

Jordan Henderson

Yet to convince many in an England shirt but as one of Southgate’s two regular captains, he seems certain of a spot in the final 23-man squad.

Raheem Sterling

The subject of some largely unfair criticism at last year’s European Championships, Sterling is a player worth showing patience to. England’s most naturally-gifted wide man.

Eric Dier

Dier’s international form has been somewhat patchy of late but, having emerged as the side’s fulcrum two years ago, he remains an important player.

Phil Jones

Hailed as England’s “best defender” by Southgate last month, only fitness issues may prevent him from appearing at his second major international tournament.

Kyle Walker

On his day one of Europe’s most effective full-backs. Since Euro 2016, Walker has seen off competition to become England’s outstanding right-back choice.

Marcus Rashford

Set to round-off his meteoric rise with a World Cup finals appearance, Rashford is slowly establishing himself as Southgate’s first-choice wide forward on the left flank.

John Stones

Not without his weaknesses, and not assured of his place week-in week-out at Manchester City, but a player that Southgate and England seem willing to invest their time.

Jamie Vardy

Back-up to Kane but offers an exciting ‘plan B’ that, if utilised properly, could play to England’s strengths and take others by surprise.

Ryan Bertrand

Southgate’s first-choice left-back while Rose is unavailable and will keep his place in the squad if the Tottenham man returns.

Joe Hart

There may be questions over whether he should still be England’s No 1, but Southgate is not the one asking them.

Jack Butland

Back from a long injury lay-off and currently Hart’s deputy, though that could change before June.

In contention

Gary Cahill

Another member of the old guard in a young squad, his experience at the back is valued even if his place in the starting line-up could come under threat.

Adam Lallana

Yet to appear for Liverpool this season while he recovers from a thigh injury, but will be important if Southgate intends for England to press the opposition from the front.

Danny Rose

A certain starter if fit and firing by June but his long, mysterious injury lay-off casts a slight doubt over his status at Tottenham and whether he will be ready in time.

Jordan Pickford

Viewed as the long-term competitor to Butland for the No 1 shirt, Pickford is highly-rated within the set-up but could miss out to one of the more senior ‘keepers.

Fraser Forster

One of the “more senior ‘keepers” in question, Forster has experience of playing second and third fiddle, having travelled as a reserve to both Brazil and France under Roy Hodgson.

Michael Keane

Vying for one, maybe two vacant centre-back places. Needs to prove he can impress in a team with the all-round solidity of old club Burnley.

Jake Livermore

Something of a regular now under Southgate and likely to stay that way unless new alternatives in central midfield emerge.

Jesse Lingard

A useful player, as seen by his bright cameo against Slovenia on Thursday, but could suffer from competition for places and a lack of regular playing time at club level.

Jermain Defoe

Re-called during the March internationals following his goals for Sunderland, the veteran will need to regain that form before the summer in order to earn inclusion.

Harry Maguire

A physical presence capable of carrying the ball out and defending with strength, Maguire could be a useful option when England are under the kosh.

Daniel Sturridge

At the start of the last World Cup, Sturridge looked likely to lead the line for England long-term, but injuries have reduced him to a bit-part player at Anfield.

Danny Welbeck

Operated in a similar role to Rashford when a regular under Hodgson, Welbeck has now been surpassed by his fellow Mancunian.

Fabian Delph

A surprise selection in Southgate’s latest squad, Delph is another whose status has been elevated by a lack of central midfielders. May only receive limited game-time at Manchester City and even then, it might come at full-back.

Kieran Trippier

The Tottenham full-back has emerged as Walker’s deputy over the last few months with Nathaniel Clyne out of the picture, but his minutes at club level are at risk from Serge Aurier.

At risk

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Perennially named in England squads but in need of a good season at new club Liverpool, having endured a difficult first month.

Chris Smalling

Not first-choice under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United currently and now has significant competition in the international ranks. At risk of missing out.

Theo Walcott

Having sat on the sidelines as a 17-year-old in 2006, Walcott is still waiting for his first World Cup appearance. Needs to impress at Arsenal if he is to force his way in.

Nathaniel Clyne

Out for the foreseeable future with a back injury, the Liverpool full-back will have to hope he can regain his spot off Trippier, whose playing time may be limited at Tottenham.

Outside bets

Ross Barkley

Omitted from Southgate’s squads at the tail end of last season, Barkley is injured and halfway out the door at Everton. In need of a significant mid-season turnaround to be in with a chance of selection.

Harry Winks

Included in the latest squad following Delph’s withdrawal, but in need of significant first-team minutes at Tottenham before regular consideration.

Danny Drinkwater

An in-form Drinkwater would fill one of Southgate’s midfield slots, but he needs to recover from injury and establish himself at new club Chelsea first.

Nathaniel Chalobah

England’s most-capped player at age-group level is a Southgate favourite and, depending on how he fares at new club Watford, could sneak in given the paucity of central midfield options.

Aaron Cresswell

Only likely to be included if one of Rose and Bertrand is not available.

Jack Wilshere

Called-up by Hodgson in 2016 after just 69 minutes of league football all season, Wilshere will surely have to do more to make the cut this time around.

Tom Heaton

Heaton is as deserving of a place as the other four ‘keepers, but is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. Ultimately, he may be crowded out by the stiff competition.

Michail Antonio

Uncapped still, despite call-ups last season, and may need another spell of eye-catching form at West Ham United before considered again.

Phil Jagielka

Pushed into the peripheries by England’s new options in the centre of defence.

Missing out

Luke Shaw

When fit and on form, Shaw may well be Southgate’s best left-back but a year of uncertainty at Old Trafford has damaged his cause.

Ben Gibson

Included in the squad for the summer friendly in France but unlikely to be recalled while playing in the Championship.

Andros Townsend

Last called up for the friendly against Spain in November 2016, Townsend is currently some way off inclusion and matters at his club Crystal Palace are more pressing.