England will round off their UEFA Nations League campaign with clashes against Italy and Germany on September 23 and September 26 respectively.

The Three Lions will then firmly switch their attention to the 2022 World Cup, which begins for them with a clash against Iran on November 21.

Gareth Southgate's side will also face United States and Wales in the group stage of the competition, and it will be fascinating to see how the national team perform in the upcoming major tournament, having finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup.

The majority of England's squad for the World Cup appears to have been decided, but there are certainly still some spots open in the selection.

With that in mind, Sports Mole looks at three players who will be hopeful of forcing their way into Southgate's plans for the competition in Qatar.

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Marcus Rashford had a difficult 2021-22 campaign for Man United, but the 24-year-old has reignited his career in the early stages of this season, scoring three times and registering two assists in six league appearances.

The forward was excellent in his side's last Premier League game against leaders Arsenal, scoring twice and providing one assist, but he missed out against Sheriff Tiraspol last time out through injury.

Rashford would have allegedly been able to join up with the Three Lions squad had he been selected, but Southgate decided to overlook the attacker once again.

The Man United academy product has scored 12 times in 46 caps for England but has not been involved since Euro 2020 and faces competition from a number of players to break back into the set up.

"It is only eight weeks until we will be naming our squad for Qatar so every minute counts," Southgate told reporters after announcing his latest squad. "He [Rashford] is a player we know well so if he can perform at a high level in the next few weeks, he of course will be under consideration."

Rashford will be difficult to ignore if he continues his strong form for Man United.

Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)

Jadon Sancho was widely expected to be named in the latest squad due to his strong form for Man United in the opening weeks of this season, but he was once again ignored by Southgate.

The 22-year-old had a difficult first season at Old Trafford but has been in strong form this term, scoring three times in eight appearances, including two goals in six Premier League outings.

Sancho has represented England on 23 occasions, scoring three times, but he has not been involved for the national team for over a year.

Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are certainties to head to the World Cup as attacking options, but Sancho will feel that he is good enough to move past the likes of Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney in the pecking order.

Sancho has benefitted from Erik ten Hag's coaching at Man United this season, and it will also be tough for Southgate to overlook him if his impressive form continues.

It might well be Rashford or Sancho in the squad rather than both, though, and it will be interesting to see how both players perform during an incredibly busy October at club level.

Ben White (Arsenal)

Ben White's absence from the England squad was also a surprise considering that he has been a key player for an Arsenal side currently sitting at the top of the Premier League table.

The fact that the 24-year-old has played at right-back this season has more than likely counted against him here, with Southgate's squad already full of right-sided full-backs.

The form of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes has seen White play at full-back for the Gunners this term, and he was again in strong form against Brentford at the weekend.

Central defence is a problem for Southgate, especially with Harry Maguire not playing for Man United at this moment in time, and it would be a surprise if White was overlooked for the World Cup.

Fikayo Tomori's form for AC Milan could take him into the final squad, but White will surely feel that he should be included over the likes of Conor Coady and Marc Guehi.

The Arsenal defender played in England's friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast in March but was then overlooked for the Nations League games back in June. body check tags ::