Who could be the next England debutant and who are the potential recalls?
Thomas Tuchel faces decisions on potential new call-ups and veteran returns as England prepare for final Nations League group matches.
Quick Look
England manager Thomas Tuchel faces selection choices for upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, with spots open for emerging talents like King and Lankshear, or potential returns for veterans like Jordan Henderson.
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Why It Matters
England are nearing qualification for the Nations League knockout stage. Thomas Tuchel is evaluating his squad depth before the upcoming quarter-finals in March.
It's the last international break of the year and England have some big games in the Nations League coming up.
After their 7-0 demolition of Croatia in the last match of the Nations League, the Three Lions are all but certain of qualification to the knockout stage.
But, with games at home to Croatia and in Spain to come, they could secure top spot before March's quarter-finals.
Manager Thomas Tuchel likes to reference "credit in the bank" for players who have performed for him in the past.
However, with some of the stars who helped England reach the semi-finals of the World Cup not in the previous squad due to injury issues, it will be interesting to see who Tuchel selects for these two big games after some impressive performances.
The likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and many others are now stonewall selections but the intrigue is around the remaining few spots still seemingly up for grabs.
Will some old faces earn a recall or will there be new faces soon pulling on the England shirt?
The 19-year-old Fulham midfielder has already been close to a senior-team debut.
King travelled to the US as part of the preparation squad before the World Cup, along with Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri and Rio Ngumoha.
Scott and Ngumoha have already made their debuts for the senior side and Nwaneri is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel said in his last press conference how King is close to a senior call-up and the midfielder has impressed for the under-21s too.
The biggest challenge for King will be finding a chance to shine in his favoured number 10 position with Bellingham being England's best player and the position being one of real strength for the Three Lions.
There are a lack of number nines in the English game and the job of being Harry Kane's understudy is harder than it sounds.
The England captain has just won the Ballon d'Or, likes to play almost every minute for his country and is the captain, record goalscorer and arguably the best player in Tuchel's side.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been selected in the squads pre and post the World Cup but, despite doing well for Leeds, it has not quite clicked for him under Tuchel and he was given just 15 minutes in two substitute appearances in the last window.
Tuchel has started to use Bellingham as the back-up to Kane but he could opt for more of a prospect in his squad in this shorter window and turn to Lankshear.
The 21-year-old striker, who like Kane started at Tottenham before being sold to Middlesbrough this summer for £20m, has scored 15 goals in all competitions so far this campaign.
He has scored 13 goals in as many games in the Championship, helping Middlesbrough to the top of the division.
He only made his debut for the under-21s during the last international window and scored in that game so it would be quite a rise for a player who is not in the Premier League.
Tuchel is aware of Lankshear and with a lack of number nines across the age groups it could be an interesting option for a manager who is not afraid of making big calls.
He did miss Middlesbrough's loss to Wrexham on Wednesday with a tweaked hamstring but could return in time for Saturday.
The Everton number 10 has turned down call-ups to play for the Republic of Ireland as he focuses on his dream of trying to represent the Three Lions.
He has been one of the Toffees' standout performers having scored two goals and registered two assists in all competitions, helping Everton to seventh in the league.
Dewsbury-Hall, 28, is a clever technician with an eye for a pass and his ability on the ball would likely suit international football.
But team-mate James Garner, who Tuchel called a mini-Valverde, was called up before Deswbury-Hall when there were dropouts in the last international break with that showing perhaps he has more to do to get on Tuchel's radar.
Jordan Henderson has not been in the England set-up since the World Cup, where he fell over an advertising hoarding following England's win over Mexico in the Azteca Stadium and broke his arm.
Many would have thought the 36-year-old's international career was over but Henderson, then at Brentford, made a move to Chelsea as they looked to add experience to their young squad.
After recovering from the arm injury, Henderson has surprised some to become an important part of the Chelsea midfield, starting five games in a row and scoring twice in a win over Bournemouth, before he missed the Blues' win over Manchester United with injury.
Henderson is a popular figure, respected by staff and players and is again performing at the top level.
Open Questions
- Who will be included in the final squad for the upcoming fixtures?
- Will Lankshear recover from his hamstring injury in time?







