Euro 2024: Five stars who could force their way into England squad

England face Brazil on Saturday, in their penultimate fixture before Gareth Southgate announces his squad for Euro 2024. 

The Three Lions host the five-time World Cup winners at Wembley, before welcoming Belgium to the national stadium on Tuesday evening.

Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the squad for these two matches due to injury, which could allow the likes of Cole Palmer a chance to impress.

While several players are certain to travel to the tournament in Germany this summer, there are a few places that are still up for grabs.

Here, we take a look at five players who could force their way into the final 23-man squad.

Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan) – 5 caps

Former Chelsea man Tomori has impressed since moving to Italy in 2021, and has featured fairly regularly in England squads over the past couple of years.

Tomori will hope to force his way back into Southgate’s squad

Central defence has become something of a problem area for Southgate, and Tomori’s impressive performances for Milan have prompted calls for him to travel to Germany this summer.

Kalvin Phillips (Weest Ham United, on loan from Manchester City) – 31 caps

Central midfielder Phillips has played at each of the last two major tournaments, and continued to feature regularly for Southgate’s side despite making just 31 appearances for City between July 2022 and January this year.

Phillips has fallen out of favour for England after a poor start to life at West Ham

The ex-Leeds United man has since joined the Hammers on loan for the remainder of the current campaign, but a disastrous start to life in London prompted Southgate to exclude him from the latest squad. England are still short of a holding midfielder, though, and Phillips could force his way back in if his form improves.

Luke Shaw (Manchester United) – 31 caps

Left-back is another position that is far from decided for England, but Shaw could be the favourite to start on the left of defence if he is fit for the tournament this summer.

Shaw scored in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley

The former Southampton man is currently sidelined with a muscular injury, but will likely be included in the final squad if he is set to be fit in time for the Euros.

Jack Butland (Rangers) – 9 caps

Jordan Pickford is almost certain to start in goal for the Three Lions in Germany this summer, but the two back-up ‘keepers are far from decided.

Butland hasn’t played for the Three Lions since 2018

Butland made his international debut in 2012 and has been capped nine times, but hasn’t played for England since 2018. The ex-Stoke City man has been in fine form for Rangers this season, though, keeping 17 clean sheets in 29 Scottish Premiership matches, and he could still force his way into the squad.

Reece James (Chelsea) – 16 caps

Regarded as one of the world’s best right-backs on his day, James has been hampered by a number of serious injuries over the past few seasons. Kyle Walker will start for England at right-back, but James’ versatility and defensive reliability could be of interest to England.

James faces a race to be fit in time for the Euros

The Blues captain is currently sidelined but is set to return to action in the closing weeks of the season, and Southgate could therefore opt to include him in the squad for Euro 2024.