Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be left out of Gareth Southgate's final European Championship squad as it's cut from 33 players to 26.
The England manager left Alexander-Arnold out of his squad entirely in March, sparking speculation that the 22-year-old might not make the summer Euros, despite being regarded as one of the best in Europe in his position.
An unlucky seven players will be axed on Tuesday and new reports suggest Alexander-Arnold will be the highest-profile player to depart the Three Lions squad.
To be fair to Southgate, he has four top right-backs to choose from. And it seems that Chelsea's Reece James, Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier and Manchester City's Kyle Walker are likely to be selected, leaving Alexander-Arnold the odd man out.
Advert
Each are versatile players who have shown they can play in different positions (James, for example, at right wing, while Walker was used as a right-sided centre-back in a back three during the 2018 World Cup).
However Southgate and his staff might believe that taking four players whose primary role is right-back is too many, even in a 26-man squad.
Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the best attacking full-backs in world football. And, while his form suffered a dip this season alongside that of his club Liverpool, he looked just about back to his best again by the end of the campaign.
Advert
The bookies odds also suggest that Manchester United's 19-year-old Mason Greenwood might not make the cut this time, while Jessie Lingard's goalscoring form at West Ham means he may well nick a spot.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Aston Villa striker Olie Watkins are also potentially facing the axe, while defenders Ben White and Ben Godfrey are expected to miss out. That just leaves one goalkeeper from four to go and Sheffield United's 23-year-old Aaron Ramsdale might have to wait his turn, with West Brom's Sam Johnstone taking the third goalkeeping place.
Greenwood is the biggest 'maybe' on that list given his talent, given his regular starting spot for Man United and the fact that Southgate is clearly a fan.
Advert
But it seems - unless there's a late, sudden change of direction - that Alexander-Arnold will be the right-back to miss out in a position where England are seriously well-stocked.
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold, Euro 2020, England, Gareth Southgate