England's disappointing Nations League campaign ended with an exciting 3-3 Wembley draw against Germany and, with the World Cup now less than two months away, boss Gareth Southgate needs to finalise who will make his squad for Qatar.

This article was originally published on 17 November 2022

Southgate must name his squad by 13th November - eight days before the Three Lions' Group B opener against Iran - and he has the luxury of being able to select 26 players in total.

That's three more than has traditionally been the case for the tournament after the International Football Association Board approved the use of five subs for the World Cup, with all those not selected in countries' starting XI's allowed to be named on the bench.

There are plenty of England regulars whose places in the final squad are virtually assured. The likes of skipper Harry Kane, midfielders Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden and forward Raheem Sterling will, barring injury, be on the plane for Qatar.

But there are others who still have question marks over their inclusion but have boosted their chances of making it after catching the eye in the recent Nations League outings.

Shaw takes his chance

Luke Shaw has only started two Premier League games for Manchester United this season and his lack of game-time for the Red Devils will be a concern for Southgate as he assesses his options at left-back for Qatar.

Shaw was among the subs in Friday's defeat in Italy but was handed a chance to impress from the start against Germany and it's fair to say the 27-year-old took it.

Hansi Flick's side were leading 2-0 as England looked to be heading to their third defeat on the spin but the defender fired in the first goal to start the comeback with just under 20 minutes to go.

Shaw, who is 8/15 to be named in England's World Cup squad, has had his injury problems in the past but, when fit, he's clearly a player Southgate trusts.

The former Southampton man emerged as first-choice left-back in last summer's Euros, scoring in the final against Italy, and his overall performance against the Germans will have served as a timely reminder of what he can bring to the side, both defensively and going forward, ahead of the World Cup.

Saka and Mount impress off the bench

Bukayo Saka will expect to make the squad (1/16) after being recently named the England team's Player of the Year but, after starting the 1-0 defeat to Italy, the Arsenal man will have been frustrated he was only on the bench for the Germany clash.

However, Saka responded superbly when coming on just past the hour mark on Monday in a fantastic cameo appearance and if there were any lingering doubts about the 21-year-old's worth to this England side they probably disappeared during the second against Germany.

Saka set up Mason Mount for England's equaliser and was inches away from scoring a late fourth that would have won it and capped a crazy second half.

Mount was also instrumental in the Three Lions' fightback from 2-0 down and he scored his fifth goal for his country - and first since March 2021 - when guiding home the equaliser to make it 2-2.

He, too, was only on the bench but his impact was significant as he was on the scoresheet less than 10 minutes after coming on as his energy and positivity helped Southgate's men hit back quickly when they needed to after Kai Havertz had put the visitors two goals in front. Mount is 1/16 to be named in England's squad for the World Cup.

Several sweating on finals place

Southgate must decide which players on the fringes of his squad will not make the cut, with those left out of the matchday 23 for the Germany draw now seriously sweating on their World Cup dreams.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is 2/7 to make the squad, Jarrod Bowen (4/6), Fikayo Tomori (2/5) and James Ward-Prowse (8/11) were the four dropped on Monday in what appeared to be an indication from the England boss that their places are most under threat.

There are others who have moved into contention to be part of the final squad in recent months and there may still be room for a couple of players who impress for their clubs in October and early November to secure a late place in the 26.

Toney not given run-out

Ivan Toney was rewarded for his fine form for Brentford with a first England call-up but the striker didn't feature in either Nations League game, while Roma forward Tammy Abraham is another who will have been frustrated at being an unused sub in both those matches.

Toney is 11/8 to be selected in England's squad for the finals, while Abraham is expected to be included for the first winter World Cup.

bet365 News Team

• England Men's Football Team
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