Roy Hodgson names his England squad at 11.30am today for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.
Below, we name three uncapped players who deserve call-ups and three regulars who deserve to be dropped.
Out with the old…
Michael Carrick
Carrick was effectively convinced to come out of international retirement by Hodgson in 2012. Since his return, he has done the job asked of him.
But his club form this season has been far from spectacular and, the reality is, there are multiple younger Englishmen who can perform his simple role better.
James Milner
Milner is the ultimate squad player. He is very versatile and always seems to play OK, but never especially well. What is he?
England do not need a ‘jack of all trades’. Milner, who has 57 caps for the Three Lions, has been used in central midfield and out wide for his country. Somehow, he often ends up taking set-pieces, which are generally awful.
Milner just about works in the Premier League, where graft and stamina are enough to impress. But he lacks the craft and – quite frankly – ability to be a key member for an ambitious national side.
Kieran Gibbs
Arsene Wenger doesn’t deem him good enough to make Arsenal’s starting XI, with Nacho Montreal miles ahead, so why should Gibbs keep getting England calls? It’s not like Hodgson is short of left-backs to choose from.
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In with the new…
Jon Flanagan
Talking of England’s left-back depth, Liverpool cult hero Flanagan is – when fit – three times as good as Gibbs. Hodgson may be reluctant to pick him in this squad because he returned from a long-term injury lay-off fairly recently.
But, even if Flanagan misses out this time, Gibbs is not the answer. Tottenham’s Danny Rose and Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand should both be picked ahead of the overrated Gunners defender.
Flanagan has played for England at senior level once before, making a cameo as a sub in a friendly back in 2014. His first full cap must surely be just around the corner.
Danny Drinkwater
The former Manchester United midfielder has been one half of the best central midfield partnership in the country this season, dominating in the middle for Premier League leaders Leicester alongside N’Golo Kante.
If he’s picking on form, Hodgson has to consider giving Drinkwater an opportunity, although Eric Dier is likely to be first choice in defensive midfield.
Mark Noble
Captain of the best West Ham United side in decades, it would be a scandal if Noble misses out again.
Noble, 28, combines hard-work with genuine flair and is one of the classiest midfielders England have got at their disposal.
Furthermore, he should be rewarded for his loyalty to the Three Lions. Noble turned down the chance to play for the Republic of Ireland – he qualifies through his grandparents. He would surely have become a star man for Ireland, but it’s always been England or nothing for him.