England Euro 2020 squad predictions: Boost for Gareth Southgate

Analysis of England's Euro 2020 squad to be selected by Gareth Southgate on May 24 for the tournament that starts in June.

Uefa are set to allow Euro 2020 competing nations to name 26-man squads for this summer's tournament rather than the usual 23 players.

This should allow squads to cope better with any Covid-19 outbreaks and it could open the door for England players who were struggling to make the cut.

Manager Gareth Southgate will announce his party on May 24 as they prepare for group matches against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic.

We take a look at who could be involved as the Three Lions look for their first international tournament success since 1966 and who bookmakers Ladbrokes believe are the most likely to make it.

Goalkeepers

The extra three squad places are unlikely to have any effect on the goalkeepers Southgate selects as only injures look set to prevent Everton's Jordan Pickford, Burnley's Nick Pope and Mancehster United's Dean Henderson.

Strong cases could be made for all three getting the starting spot for the opening clash with Croatia at Wembley on June 13 and it looks set to be a great discussion in the run up to the competition.

But while that is one of the most intriguing aspects of England's preparations, all three look to have booked their place so don't expect any surprises.

Ladbrokes odds to be in the squad: 1-20 Jordan Pickford, 1-16 Nick Pope, 1-16 Dean Henderson.

Defenders

If there are no extra goalkeepers then it makes sense that Southgate will boost his options by naming an extra defender, midfielder and striker.

The chief beneficiary could be Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The right-back would have been a shoo-in to be involved had the tournament gone ahead as scheduled last year, but he has fallen down the England pecking order since struggling to live up to those heights this season.

Tottenham's Eric Dier, who was the penalty hero when England beat Colombia at the World Cup three years ago, is also odds-on to be involved even though he has had a disappointing season.

Ladbrokes odds to be in the squad: 1-20 Kyle Walker, 1-20 John Stones, 1-20 Harry Maguire, 1-20 Ben Chilwell, 1-20 Luke Shaw, 1-3 Trent Alexander-Arnold, 8-13 Eric Dier, 8-13 Tyrone Mings, 4-6 Conor Coady.

Midfielders

The England midfield has a youthful and exciting look and the benefit of an extra place would provide Southgate with another impact-player option, which would be huge especially as five substitutions will be allowed in matches.

After rejuvenating his season with a successful loan spell at West Ham, Jesse Lingard has boosted his chances of being involved and his performances in the World Cup three years ago could go a long way towards his inclusion.

Jack Grealish has been struggling with a shin injury so the extra places could allow Southgate to include the Aston Villa man if he is not 100 per cent fit and the manager would surely love to give Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson every opportunity to make the squad.

The extra room for manoeuvre could even include Henderson for his off-the-field influence if his recent groin injury meant he had little chance of playing in the early stages.

Ladbrokes odds to be in the squad: 1-20 Phil Foden, 1-20 Mason Mount, 1-12 Declan Rice, 1-6 Jesse Lingard, 1-6 Kalvin Phillips, 1-3 Jude Bellingham, 1-3 Jack Grealish, 2-5 Jordan Henderson, 1-2 James Ward-Prowse.

Forwards

England have gone to major tournaments with only four forwards before and the extra places means there should be no debate as to whether Southgate should have five attacking options this summer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has forced his way into the reckoning after a fine season with Everton and Jadon Sancho has scored six goals in his last ten games for Borussia Dortmund.

It seems only injury would keep out Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford and the England manager has some top performers who can score those all-important goals to lead his team to glory.

Ladbrokes odds to be in the squad: 1-33 Harry Kane, 1-25 Raheem Sterling, 1-20 Marcus Rashford, 1-10 Jadon Sancho, 1-10 Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

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