Thomas Tuchel names his latest England squad on Friday as the World Cup countdown continues.

And it should provide big clues as to how England are shaping up ahead of this summer.

England face Uruguay and Japan at Wembley in two warm-up friendlies later this month in the final international break of the season.

It is hard to imagine many surprises and we are unlikely to see major shocks despite all the chat around Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha.

But one big talking point is Trent Alexander-Arnold and where he stands. He has struggled to convince Tuchel since he has taken charge and he has been struggling with injuries during his time in Spain.

However, Alexander-Arnold is back, playing and if he is starting games for Real Madrid, why on earth would you ignore him? Answer: you definitely can’t.

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He is probably behind Reece James in the pecking order, but actually that could be one big talking point for Friday’s squad, given James' latest injury setback.

Chelsea captain James is now out injured for a while with a hamstring issue which Blues boss Liam Rosenior said could be for some “weeks.”

That has to be a major concern because of James’ history with hamstring issues and may also see the door open not just for Alexander-Arnold but for Tino Livramento, too.

The midfield may also be a congested area, but I really want to see Bournemouth’s Alex Scott in the mix because he has been in good form.

Declan Rice and Elliott Anderson are surely stitched on, but there’s lots of competition and there are a few others now vying for places.

What I really like about Scott – who was, of course, in the England squad just three months ago – is that he always looks forward.

Scott is fearless on the ball, he is ready to run with the ball and makes things happen. In the big shake-up for midfield places he looks such a good bet.

There was a rare mistake from Jordan Pickford against Arsenal, but the Everton keeper never lets England down.

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The big mover, in my eyes, is Newcastle’s Lewis Hall. He is pushing Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly for the left back slot.

Hall is in good form while O’Reilly keeps playing in midfield. Aaron Ramsdale is also playing so must have a chance as third choice keeper.

That right back slot is competitive with Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and also Djed Spence played his best game in a while for Spurs at Liverpool.

Jarrel Quansah also impressed for Bayer Leverkusen against Arsenal – can he make the squad? His chances must have improved. John Stones is back and available, while Harry Maguire must also be in contention, as he has been a rock for Manchester United.

A recall for Maguire would be some story and he is probably an outsider – but Tuchel will know he is a good character, reliable and is in good form. That is one to watch – even if the odds are probably against him right now.

Tuchel will probably pick at least 26 for the two friendlies but may opt for a couple more to allow for injuries and withdrawals. He will probably decide on numbers later in the week depending on how many players are doubts after the Champions League fixtures.

John Cross's predicted England squad for Friday

Goalkeepers:

Pickford, Henderson, Trafford

Right backs:

Alexander-Arnold, Spence, Livramento

Left backs:

O’Reilly, Hall

Centre backs:

Guehi, Konsa, Stones, Quansah, Burn

Midfield:

Rice, Anderson, Henderson, Mainoo, Scott

Number 10s:

Bellingham, Rogers, Palmer, Foden

Right wingers:

Saka, Madueke

Left wingers:

Rashford, Gordon

Strikers:

Kane, Watkins

England Player Ratings this week

Here’s John Cross’s latest ratings for how likely each player is to make the final World Cup squad (ranked out of 10)

The players are ranked in order in their positions.

Goalkeepers

• Jordan Pickford: 10/10


• Dean Henderson 8/10


• Aaron Ramsdale 6/10


• Nick Pope 6/10


• James Trafford 6/10

Right Backs

• Reece James 8/10


• Trent Alexander-Arnold 7/10


• Djed Spence 6/10


• Rico Lewis 4/10


• Ben White 2/10

Left Backs

• Nico O’Reilly 9/10


• Lewis Hall 8/10


• Tino Livramento 6/10


• Luke Shaw 6/10


• Myles Lewis-Skelly 2/10


• Jack Hinshelwood 2/10

Central Defenders

• Marc Guehi 9/10


• Ezri Konsa 8/10


• Dan Burn 7/10


• Jarell Quansah 7/10


• Harry Maguire 7/10


• John Stones 6/10


• Trevoh Chalobah 6/10


• Jarrad Branthwaite 3/10


• Levi Colwill 3/10

Midfielders

• Declan Rice 9/10


• Elliot Anderson 9/10


• Jordan Henderson 8/10


• Kobbie Mainoo 7/10


• Alex Scott 7/10


• Curtis Jones 6/10


• Adam Wharton 6/10


• Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10


• Conor Gallagher 4/10


• Mason Mount 3/10


• Ruben Loftus-Cheek 0/10

Right Forwards

• Bukayo Saka 8/10


• Noni Madueke 7/10


• Jarrod Bowen 7/10

Left Forwards

• Anthony Gordon 8/10


• Marcus Rashford 7/10


• Eberechi Eze 6/10

No10s

• Jude Bellingham 9/10


• Morgan Rogers 8/10


• Phil Foden 7/10


• Cole Palmer 7/10

Strikers

• Harry Kane 10/10


• Ollie Watkins 6/10


• Dominic Solanke 6/10


• Danny Welbeck 6/10


• Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6/10


• Liam Delap 4/10

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