England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to announce his squad on Friday for the final international window of the year as the Three Lions look to finalize their UEFA Nations League campaign. Following an emphatic 7-0 victory against Croatia, England have virtually secured passage to the knockout phase, but upcoming matches at home to Croatia and away in Spain offer the opportunity to wrap up first place before March's quarter-finals. While key figures such as captain and recent Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice are guaranteed places, Tuchel must balance his remaining options amid recent injuries to several players who helped England reach the World Cup semi-finals.
A notable focal point centers on the search for a striker to support Kane, bringing 21-year-old Middlesbrough forward Will Lankshear into consideration. The former Tottenham prospect, who completed a £20m transfer to Middlesbrough in the summer, has struck 15 goals in all competitions, including 13 in as many Championship appearances to fire his side to the top of the table. Having scored on his Under-21 debut, Lankshear offers a fresh alternative after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was limited to just 15 minutes across two substitute appearances in the previous camp. Another uncapped youngster pushing for promotion is 19-year-old Fulham midfielder Josh King, who impressed with the Under-21s and previously joined England's pre-World Cup training squad in the United States alongside Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha, and Borussia Dortmund loanee Ethan Nwaneri.
Competition remains fierce across attacking midfield, where Everton playmaker Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is hoping his domestic form catches Tuchel's eye. The 28-year-old, who has rejected opportunities to represent the Republic of Ireland, has notched two goals and two assists to lift Everton to seventh in the table, though club teammate James Garner was previously prioritized as an injury replacement. Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White is also contending for inclusion after cutting short a family holiday to answer a late call-up in September. While Tuchel admired the 26-year-old's commitment and used him in every fixture during that camp, Forest's league struggles and rivals such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Eberechi Eze could complicate his selection.
Tuchel also has decisions to make regarding defensive and experienced recalls. Arsenal's 29-year-old defender Ben White could return to provide cover at right-back with Reece James sidelined by injury; White missed the World Cup and the Champions League final with a knee problem, but his established partnership with Bukayo Saka remains highly regarded. Meanwhile, 36-year-old Chelsea midfielder Jordan Henderson has re-entered the picture following an extended absence dating back to the World Cup, where he sustained a broken arm against Mexico in the Azteca Stadium. Henderson moved from Brentford to Chelsea and quickly made an impact, starting five consecutive matches and scoring twice against Bournemouth before missing their win over Manchester United with an injury.