England's World Cup 2018 squad - ranked: who's on the plane to Russia?

The build-up to England's attempts to end 52 years of hurt in Russia this summer is well and truly on.

Gareth Southgate's men will walk out in Volgograd to face Tunisia in their opening game at the 2018 World Cup on June 18 with the hopes and expectations of a nation weighing heavy on their shoulders.

When does Gareth Southgate name his England World Cup squad?

Gareth Southgate, and managers of all other World Cup nations, have to submit a provisional 35-man squad on Monday May 14, though the England manager will not be publishing the names.

While he has until June 4 to cut the squad to the 23 he will take, Southgate will announce his World Cup squad on Wednesday May 16, as well as a so far unspecified number of reserve players.

Who should make the squad?

Here, we try to second guess the England manager, ranking the players by their likelihood (in our humble opinion) of making the squad to go to Russia this summer. Here goes...

Little-to-no chance

There are plenty of players that not so long ago had a chance of making the squad but there is now too little time for them to change Southgate's mind.

In goal, Fraser Forster and Tom Heaton both look set to miss out. Forster has had a poor campaign at Southampton, losing his place to Alex McCarthy, while Heaton has spent almost the entire season out injured.

Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw are too far down the pecking order of left-backs to make the squad, while on the other side of defence, Nathaniel Clyne's recovery from injury has come too late. Chris Smalling will almost certainly not be be going to Russia given the fact Southgate does not rate him highly enough as a ball-playing centre-back.

In midfield, injury has put paid to Harry Winks' chances of making the squad, while Danny Drinkwater and Ross Barkley have not played enough at Chelsea to be considered. Jack Cork, called up last year, has fallen out of favour.

There are plenty of calls from up north for Jonjo Shelvey to be recalled for England given he is probably the most technically-gifted passer Southgate has at his disposal, but he hasn't played for England since 2015 and, in all likelihood would be lucky to make the cut. Ademola Lookman is ending the season well in Germany, but his run of form has probably come too late.

Nathan Redmond, Michail Antonio, Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke all had a chance of making the squad at some point during the qualification campaign but have fallen out of favour for one reason or another. And with such a dearth of in-form strikers, Daniel Sturridge could have been a useful option but injuries have ruled him out. Finally, whisper it, but Andy Carroll is (half-)fit again, but there is no indication Southgate would plump for a Plan B like Carroll.

Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been ruled out with injury.

10 that just miss out

33. Lewis Cook

Made the last England squad - and won his granddad £17,000 when he made his debut - but will need injuries to others if he is to make the cut in the summer.

32. Aaron Cresswell

An outsider given the players ahead of him at left back. Even if Ryan Bertrand or Danny Rose got injured, it's likely Southgate would turn to Ashley Young or Fabian Delph.

31. James Tarkowski

His England audition didn't go very well at all, and that could have spelled the end of his chances despite a hugely impressive season.

30. Michael Keane

A year ago Keane looked a good bet for a World Cup place but he has regressed - at least in reputation - since his big-money move to Everton. He'll have to impress in the coming days to make the final squad.

29. Ruben Loftus-Cheek

A call-up may seem unlikely, but England could do with another attacking midfielder and Loftus-Cheek is ending the season well for Crystal Palace. Was named man of the match in a friendly against Germany last November, but is probably relying on injuries to others.

28. Jake Livermore

So reliable, and a player Southgate clearly trusts, but he will never set the world alight. However, he may benefit from injuries to other midfielders.

27. Alfie Mawson

England are well-stocked in central defence, but Mawson's reputation is growing with every passing week. He is comfortable on the ball and boast an exceptional passing range, but still remains an outsider for the squad.

26.  Harry Maguire

A man mountain of a defender who is comfortable on the ball and Southgate likes, but a lack of experience could count against him. If there is even the slightest doubt about any other centre-back, Southgate with turn Maguire's way.

25.  Danny Welbeck

A few weeks ago it had looked like Welbeck would be on the plane, but Adam Lallana's recovery from injury might nudge the Arsenal man into the reserves. Also, with Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford ending the season with goals, there is little reason to include another forward.

24. Nick Pope

Pope has had an outstanding season, but the fact he didn't get a minute on the pitch in either of England's latest friendlies after his first call-up may tell us a lot about his chances. Southgate has his two favoured goalkeepers and Pope has nothing on Joe Hart's experience. That could be telling.

The final 23?

23. Joe Hart

Bags of experience, but Hart has been way off his best this season. The manager will value his experience, though, and that could tip the balance in his favour over Pope.

22. Adam Lallana

Has spent a vast portion of the season out injured but his return to action this weekend could mean Southgate considers him for 23-man squad. Lallana provides something very different to any other English player and that will mean he is given every chance of making the squad.

21. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Still so young but he has made the right-back spot at Liverpool his own and has been in no way overawed by the not insignificant number of big occasions he has played in. He is a genuine option for the starting berth as right wing-back (if Kyle Walker plays as a right-sided centre-back, as expected) and has also showed in recent weeks that he can play in central midfield, too.

20. Ashley Young

Has played at left-back in the main this season but England have plenty of options there so Young could be included as one of few wingers available to Southgate.

19. 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.

18. Gary Cahill

Playing regularly again for Chelsea after a spell out of the team and should be recalled for England as a result, having missed out on the last squad. His leadership could be a valuable asset in the squad.

17. Phil Jones

Injuries are once again the main concern for Jones. If he is fit, he will surely go to the World Cup, but given how infrequently he is playing for United, it is hard to see him being able to contend with tournament matches every four or so days. That said, he is one of England's best centre-backs and should go to Russia even if he needs a few rest days out there.

16. Danny Rose

Just can't displace Ben Davies as Spurs' left-back but he was always going to be on the plane, and a good performance against Leicester on Sunday could have convinced Southgate he is worthy of a starting berth.

15. Kieran Trippier

The main potential beneficiary of Southgate's decision to play Kyle Walker in central defence, Trippier could be in the starting lineup in Volgograd. Few would have predicted that 12 months ago, and Alexander-Arnold could yet scupper Trippier's hopes.

14. Ryan Bertrand

Missed the last two friendlies through injury but should make the final squad. He has been the most consistent English left-back over the past season.

13. John Stones

Stones has barely played in the second half of the season, falling down the pecking order at Man City, but having played against Huddersfield last week and Southampton on Sunday, he has done enough to prove his fitness. Southgate will want him in the squad, regardless of his lack of game time.

12. Marcus Rashford

Such an exciting player, and a shoo-in for the squad. It has been disappointing that Rashford hasn't been given more of a run in the United team, but the glimpses of brilliance he has shown are enough to book his place on the plane.

11. Jack Wilshere

Has done brilliantly to work his way back to fitness and play consistently for the best part of a season.

He benefits from being the only English player of his kind - the type who receives the ball on the half-turn in midfield - and will be on the plane for that reason.

10. Jesse Lingard

He gets a lot of criticism but it is largely unwarranted, and he showed his worth - and booked his seat on the plane - in the recent friendly win in Holland. An outsider for a spot in the starting lineup.

9. Jack Butland

In a duel with Pickford for the No 1 jersey. Both will certainly be on the plane to Russia.

8. Jordan Pickford

See above.

7. Jordan Henderson

Not an inspiring selection but a model professional that managers consistently love. Another leader and potentially England captain next summer, so he will be in the squad.

6. Jamie Vardy

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. Dele Alli

His stock fell a little during a lull in his form this season, but he is at his best when critics circle, and he bit back impressively. Lingard is pushing him for a starting spot, but his place on the plane isn't in doubt.

4. Eric Dier

His versatility means the position he will play at the World Cup is still up in the air. He will definitely be on the plane and will almost certainly start.

3. Kyle Walker

Even better at City than he was at Spurs, Walker actually looks like something resembling a £50m player. The only question is whether he plays as a wing-back or in the new right-sided central defender role Southgate played him in recently.

2. Raheem Sterling

Has gone from strength to strength under Pep Guardiola and, with 18 goals, Sterling was one of the most prolific players in the Premier League this season. He is England's most dangerous player will be one of the first two names on the teamsheet.

1. Harry Kane

Something pretty major would have to happen for Kane not to be in Russia this summer, even if he has been slightly off colour recently. Finished the season with four goals in his final three games as he put doubts about his fitness to bed. England need Kane at his best this summer.

READ MORE: Max Allegri snubs Arsenal to stay at Juventus

READ MORE: ‘I want to be at PSG as long as possible’ - Man Utd target Meunier

READ MORE: Liverpool facing Rhian Brewster transfer dilemma

The final 23-man squad?

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Joe Hart

Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, John Stones, Phil Jones, Gary Cahill

Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Fabian Delph, Ashley Young, Adam Lallana

Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford