sport news ENGLAND'S EURO 2024 SQUAD LADDER: Young guns Palmer, Mainoo and Gordon aim to ... trends now

England are preparing for their first fixtures of 2024 - the year which could quite possibly end all those years of hurt.

Gareth Southgate's men will go to Germany this summer as favourites to win the European Championship and lift their first major trophy since 1966.

While the likes of France, Spain and Germany will have something to say about that, there's no doubt England boast their strongest team for a number of years and are a force to be reckoned with.

Unlike Euro 2020, which permitted a 26-man squad in case of Covid withdrawals, this summer's tournament will see Southgate pick just 23 players.

His current squad for the Wembley friendlies against Brazil on Saturday and Belgium on Tuesday consists of 25 after Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was added but Arsenal's Bukayo Saka withdrew through injury.

So who is looking likely to make the cut for the summer? Here's out latest England squad ladder. 

1. Harry Kane (NON-MOVER) 

Kane may not be risked over the coming days after he injured himself colliding with a goalpost during Bayern Munich's win over Darmstadt.

Southgate and the nation as a whole will hope that's captain Kane's injury issues done and dusted ahead of a huge summer.

A stunning return of 37 goals in 35 matches during his debut campaign with Bayern just confirms Kane remains in sharp form and England will hope that rolls over into the Euros.

Will be the first name on Southgate's teamsheet and remains the top rung on our ladder.

2. Jude Bellingham (NON-MOVER)

Another player who falls into the 'indispensable' category. Bellingham will be England's great hope for many years to come and is a guaranteed starter this summer.

It's breathtaking how quickly the 20-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has made himself integral to Southgate's plans.

There are so many strings to his bow but it's expected Bellingham will be given licence to maraud forward and make things happen during the tournament.

Southgate still has to figure out the precise balance and composition of his midfield but Bellingham's natural class makes him the creative fulcrum.

3. Kyle Walker (NON-MOVER)

We've ranked Walker consistently highly on our ladder and that was only confirmed when he captained England for the first time back in November.

The Manchester City full-back, 33, has 81 caps and offers a wealth of big game and tournament experience that Southgate will harness.

England don't necessarily have the fastest centre-backs, so Walker's recovery pace is often vital in containing counter-attacks.

Perhaps we'll see a rematch of his 2022 World Cup quarter-final duel with France's Kylian Mbappe this summer.

4. Declan Rice (NON-MOVER)

Another Southgate stalwart who'll be pencilled straight onto his teamsheet when England play Serbia in their Euro opener on June 16.

Rice could be a Premier League champion by then if Arsenal can hold on to top spot and the 25-year-old midfielder's £105million move there has only accelerated his growth.

Playing in the Champions League and top-of-the-table clashes only helps prepare Rice for England's big games - not that he needs it.

The only question is who lines up alongside him in the midfield as Southgate moves beyond his usual partner Kalvin Phillips.

5. Jordan Pickford (UP ONE)

Pickford moves up by virtue of John Stones falling down a few places but it's no secret he will be Southgate's first-choice goalkeeper this summer.

That has been the case since Southgate recognised his distribution skills ahead of the 2018 World Cup and, 58 caps on, that isn't about the change assuming Pickford remains fit.

He saved a penalty from North Macedonia's Enis Bardhi in his last England outing - only for Bardhi to convert the rebound - and he could well prove the matchwinner in a shootout again.

Even if Everton suffer relegation between now and the end of the season, Pickford will be crucial to his country.

6. Phil Foden (UP TWO)

It has taken a little bit of time for Foden to establish himself in the England side - but you imagine he'll be starting come the summer.

How can Southgate ignore such a gifted footballer, who has won every honour with Manchester City and is once again in spellbinding form with 18 goals and 10 assists this season.

Foden's issue in the past has been a lack of clarity over where his best position is and, indeed, he continues to play all over the place for Pep Guardiola.

But actually, Southgate has slowly embraced just how versatile Foden is, offering him options in central and wide positions depending on the need.

7. Bukayo Saka (NON-MOVER)

Unfortunately, we won't get to see Saka do his thing against Brazil because of his injury withdrawal but the Arsenal man has little to prove to Southgate.

If the England boss picked on form, Saka would be straight in because of the 16 goals and 13 assists for his club this season.

If he was looking for some X-factor, he'd also be in because he's one of the few unafraid to directly take on an opponent out wide.

And if he was picking on England reliability, then the 22-year-old, with his 11 goals and eight assists for the Three Lions, would be in as well. A shoo-in.

8. Harry Maguire (UP THREE)

How the outlook for Maguire has been transformed from the start of the season when he wasn't in the Manchester United team and his Euro chances were in jeopardy.

Why didn't he take a move to a club where he could play regularly, we asked. Maguire has courage in his convictions and his decision to take his chances at Old Trafford has paid off.

If not for injury troubles, he'd have started many more games. That will be good enough for Southgate, you'd imagine, who has consistently pointed out Maguire hasn't let England down.

If he continues to feature for his club between now and May, you'd fully imagine he'll line up for England in June.

9. Ben Chilwell (UP TWELVE)

Chilwell's big climb up the ladder is become England will obviously need a recognised left-back in the summer and Luke Shaw faces a fitness race.

The Chelsea man has suffered his own injury problems, of course, missing a large chunk of the campaign with a hamstring issue.

But if he can remain clear of further problems, Chilwell could well have the place if Shaw - who has been Southgate's first choice there for some time when available - is lacking fitness.

Not that we should be doubting Chilwell's capabilities - he should be able to perform at a major tournament. Will hope for plenty of action during this friendly double-header to reassert himself.

10. Trent Alexander-Arnold (UP TWO)

The Liverpool man misses this camp because of a knee injury but is expected to return to action next month.

Southgate will hope Alexander-Arnold gets a good run-up to the Euros amidst Liverpool's busy climax to the season because he could have grand plans for him.

In qualifying, Alexander-Arnold looks very good slotted into England's midfield and there is definitely a No 8 vacancy to be filled alongside Rice and Bellingham.

Alexander-Arnold, with his ability to pick a long pass, could be well suited and obviously he can play at right-back, too.

Southgate has only played him in midfield against lesser nations so far, so for him to miss these friendlies prohibits further experimentation. He'll be in the squad if fit, for sure.

11. Jack Grealish (DOWN ONE)

Grealish is also missing this time around after suffering a groin injury - but he shouldn't be out of action for too long and is already out on the training pitches at Man City.

The winger has played a curious bit-part for England, usually coming off the bench to run at tiring legs or when an impact is needed.

Grealish may not be an automatic starter in the summer - though he's ahead of Rashford in the pecking order now - but he's just too talented not to make an impression at some point.

Let's just hope he remains free of niggly injuries between now and then.

12. John Stones (DOWN SEVEN)

Another player who is completely tried, tested and trusted under Southgate.

With 69 caps and a wealth of experience under his belt, Stones would no doubt line up alongside Maguire if Southgate had his way.

He'll undoubtedly be in the squad - and start - if fully fit but that has proved something of an issue at Man City this season.

Stones was ruled out of the last England camp in November and while Marc Guehi performed well, he now has his own injury troubles.

So while Stones has slipped down a few positions, he'll definitely be picked if fit come June.

13. Kieran Trippier (DOWN THREE)

Trippier is another regular who is currently absent from the squad after he picked up a calf injury.

That's unlikely to matter assuming he gets back playing for Newcastle quickly. The full-back has been a Southgate regular over recent years and can play on the left or right of defence.

Trippier could prove very useful if England's left-back options lack complete fitness come the start of the tournament.

At 33, this will be his fourth major tournament and obviously such a wealth of experience isn't to be sniffed at.

14. James Maddison (UP ONE)

In keeping with quite a few others here, Maddison has enjoyed a pretty fruitful season but has seen it interrupted by an injury blow.

With four goals and eight assists for Ange Postecoglou's exciting Tottenham team, he's in a good moment and those returns would be considerably higher if not for that lay-off.

Maddison still only has five England caps but offers a point of difference from either the left side or a No 10 position.

Back in the squad, these upcoming games should serve as an audition for that vacant midfield spot.

15. Conor Gallagher (UP THREE)

The Chelsea man, who has slowly come into the England fold under Southgate, is another hoping to secure that midfield spot ahead of Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and others.

His captaincy of and performances for Chelsea in what has been a turbulent season stand him in good stead because he has remained consistent and

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