sport news England stars with a point to prove at the Nations League in the countdown to ... trends now
The World Cup may have been pushed back to winter but that doesn't mean there isn't any international football to catch over the summer.
Granted, the Nations League doesn't quite catch the imagination as much as football's ultimate showpiece but for some England stars it could be just as important in terms of their international careers.
With four Nations League encounters in June for England against highly respectable opposition in Italy, Germany and Hungary (twice) there are some golden chances to show boss Gareth Southgate why they should be in contention for the World Cup that gets underway in November.
There are just six games to go between now and when the squad is picked and with four of those this month, it's a crucial time for players already part of the set-up to show why they are still worthy of a spot, while newcomers can stake a claim for a place in Qatar.
Sportsmail looks at the England stars in the summer squad who face a crucial month in the countdown to the World Cup.
The England manager will be keeping a close eye on a few of his players in the Nations League
It's arguable but perhaps no player has a bigger point to prove than the Manchester United captain who has endured a torrid campaign with the Red Devils.
The centre-back has been made one of the most prominent scapegoats for United's torrid season that had promised a Premier League title fight but ended trophyless with a final day scrape into the Europa League as part of a sixth place finish.
Maguire even lost his place during the season amid the public criticism he has faced from pundits and fans on social media over his downturn in club form, yet he has never really let his country down.
On the contrary. England's record over the last year has been excellent defensively - despite being controversially jeered by his own fans in a March friendly against Ivory Coast.
In his last 10 games that stretch back to Euro 2020 last summer, England have conceded just three goals with him at centre-back.
For Gareth Southgate, he should have nothing to prove and yet he may have to show everyone a reminder during the Nations League that he has been an important part of England's recent revival on the international stage.
Harry Maguire impresses for England but poor Manchester Utd form puts him under pressure
Maguire's poor run of course opens the door for an alternative and Marc Guehi will be hoping for an opportunity to add to his one cap and stake a claim for a regular place in the squad.
Guehi left Chelsea for Crystal Palace last summer in an £18million move and he has quickly settled into Patrick Vieira's side at Selhurst Park.
Despite only winning one cap, an advantage for Guehi is that Southgate will already have a fair understanding of his strengths and weaknesses due to his progression through the England youth levels from the Under 16s right up until Under 21 level where he has collected 16 caps.
He was awarded his debut in the 2-1 win over Switzerland in March, and the England boss was impressed by his 'composed' defending and may be tempted to play him more with Ivory Coast also interested.
Southgate said: 'He's a player that doesn't necessarily grab your attention because he is always in the right position and he is so calm so you don't see the last-ditch challenges or the rash moments.
'I thought that was what he did today. Really composed with his defending and the ball.'
Marc Guehi can expect opportunities at centre-back at this summer's Nations League matches
Out of the spotlight of the Premier League, but very much thriving in Serie A, Fikayo Tomori is back on the radar at international level.
It's been an excellent season for the former Chelsea defender, who has been an important centre-back for AC Milan on their way to winning Serie A for the first time in 11 years while conceding just 31 goals - a tally not bettered by any other Serie A side.
In fact Milan lost just once across his 30 starts across the league campaign and it's no surprise to see him back on the England scene and now looking to add to his two caps.
He has been in and out of the squad since his 2019 debut - including missing out on the Euro 2020 finals last summer.
These end of season Nations League clashes though offer an opportunity to show not just what Southgate what he can offer at international level, but also remind England fans who are not up to speed with their Italian football as to why he should be in consideration for a World Cup spot.
Fikayo Tomori has played an important role in helping AC Milan win the Serie A title this season
See Maguire, and reverse everything. There are no concerns at all with Trent Alexander-Arnold's domestic form, given he has starred at right-back as part of a Liverpool team who just missed out on landing the quadruple this season - following last day heartbreak in the Premier League and the Champions League final loss.
But unlike Maguire, the 23-year-old has struggled to produce his best form at international level despite his excellent displays for Liverpool over the years.
In fact his place at Euro 2020 was under severe threat as he had fallen behind fellow right-backs Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Recce James in the pecking order - only for him to be crowbarred into the squad by Southgate anyway before having to pull out injured.
Injuries have kept him out of the majority of games since and having only completed 90 minutes against minnows Andorra and San Marino, as well as 13 minutes against Albania, he now needs to convince Southgate he is still worthy of selection at international level.
It's going to be a huge ask for him to find his best form after the way Liverpool's season ended but his hopes of playing in the World Cup may rest on this month's fixtures.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has barely played for England in the last year due largely to injuries
