Raheem Sterling could be one of a number of high-profile casualties from England head coach Gareth Southgate’s squad on Wednesday.
The national team boss names his party to face Malta and North Macedonia in next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers at 2pm on Wednesday with Sterling among the players there is doubt over.
Sterling has endured a difficult first season at Chelsea and is still adapting to life at a new club after leaving Manchester City last year.
Sterling’s Chelsea career has been impacted by numerous injuries, managerial changes and an incident at his Surrey home that resulted in him flying back from the World Cup.
Results at Chelsea have been hugely disappointing, and the club’s poor season has effected the forward’s form.
There have, however, been promising signs in recent weeks with Sterling scoring twice against Nottingham Forest ahead of producing a threatening display against City.
Nevertheless, Southgate is likely to have contemplated the difficulties Sterling has faced in recent months when he makes a final decision on his squad.
Southgate and Sterling have developed a close bond during their time working together at international level.
The pair are likely to have discussed whether or not the 28-year-old should be part of the squad for the forthcoming games ahead of Wednesday's announcement and jointly agreed a course of action.
There have been no definitive indications over whether Sterling will be involved in Southgate’s squad but the England boss has shown in the past that he is not adverse to omitting key players if he feels a rest would benefit them in the long term.
The England boss didn’t include vice-captain Jordan Henderson in last summer’s squad for the UEFA Nations League fixtures, saying he simply wanted to give the midfielder a rest after an exhausting season.
Henderson went on to play a key role for England at the World Cup in Qatar.
Indeed, if Southgate believes Sterling would benefit from having a complete summer off to fully recover physically and mentally for next season, he is likely to be open to making such a decision.
Sterling was not named in England’s previous squad for the games against Italy and Ukraine through injury, with Southgate insisting he would have picked the Blues star had he been available.
Similarly, any non-inclusion this time around is likely to be viewed as more of a means to ensure Sterling is fully recharged for the start of next season.
Elsewhere, Southgate could be without a number of Chelsea stars, with Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James all doubtful having missed the end of the season with injuries.
Manchester City’s international contingent are likely to be allowed to join up with the squad later than their team-mates and are unlikely to be considered to start game in Malta.
But Southgate wants as many of his first-choice players available as possible for the game against North Macedonia.
Brighton defender Lewis Dunk and Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings are pushing for a recalls.
Ivan Toney’s ban opens the door to recalls for Newcastle striker Callum Wilson or Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, while Brentford full-back Rico Henry has impressed England scouts.