In Focus: Five Lions looking to become kings against San Marino

England are one point away from earning a spot at the 2022 World Cup and thankfully for Gareth Southgate, it does not get much easier than a trip to San Marino.

The Three Lions boss looks likely to hand a few of his fringe stars the chance to stake a claim ahead of the Qatar tournament.

As England prepare to face Europe’s lowest-ranked side tonight, here are five players who will be looking to make an impression against La Serenissima.

Aaron Ramsdale

Jordan Pickford has been Southgate’s undisputed No1 since the last World Cup in Russia but Aaron Ramsdale’s form has seen him emerge as a challenger for the starting berth.

Arsenal’s upturn in fortunes in the Premier League has correlated with the 23-year-old usurping Bernd Leno in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.

Yet to earn a senior England cap, the former Bournemouth and Sheffield United stopper was a member of the Young Lions squad that won the Under-19 European Championship in 2017.

His 3.13 saves per 90 minutes see him rank seventh in the top flight this season, while he leads the way when it comes to saving efforts from outside the box (1.88 per 90).

That could be useful against a San Marino side who will get limited opportunities and should look to strike from range.

Tyrone Mings

Aston Villa captain Tyrone Mings has earned eight of his 15 caps in 2021 but was an unused substitute against Albania on Friday.

He will return to Villa Park after the international break to find Steven Gerrard at the helm, with the outgoing Dean Smith having played a major part in the 28-year-old’s rise.

A strong performance in San Marino will be needed to support his continued inclusion in the squad should Villa’s struggles at the back continue under their new manager.

The Midlands club rank 17th in the Premier League for total tackles (14.09), 18th for clearances completed (14.55) and 20th for possessions won in the defensive third (20.27) per 90.

Having played non-league football less than a decade ago, the 6ft 5in defender should know how to deal with the lower standard of opposition that will be facing England this evening.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Southgate appears to prefer his other right-back options to Trent Alexander-Arnold, even attempting to play the Liverpool defender in midfield during the September international break.

The 23-year-old has been in scintillating form at club level but for the sake of his England future, he needs to shine against one of Europe’s minnows tonight.

With one goal and four assists in the Premier League this season, there is no reason why Alexander-Arnold cannot put on a show at the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle.

His 0.69 big chances created per 90 rank ninth in English football’s top tier, and he will be looking to tap into that creative instinct against San Marino.

Conor Gallagher

There are always a handful of players who make a late charge for a major tournament call-up — and Conor Gallagher could be that man for England in 2022.

Added to the squad after the withdrawals of Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw, the Crystal Palace midfielder could get a surprise opportunity to make an impact.

Speaking yesterday, Southgate had no doubt that Gallagher warrants inclusion.

He said: "I've been very impressed with him. He deserves to be here."

Gallagher is no stranger to pulling on a white shirt, having been capped at every youth level for the Three Lions — starting against the Czech Republic Under-21s on Thursday.

The Chelsea loanee’s four league goals and two assists this season have made him a fan favourite at Selhurst Park, building on his impressive spell with West Brom last term.

Ranking 14th in the division for crosses completed with 1.54 per 90, the 21-year-old could create plenty of opportunities if he is awarded a debut cap.

Tammy Abraham

Should Harry Kane be denied the opportunity to add to his 44 England goals, Tammy Abraham will jump at the chance to increase his international tally.

Gone are the days where playing abroad would limit your opportunities with the national team and the 24-year-old’s Italian renaissance has kept him firmly in the Three Lions’ picture.

The former Chelsea man has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Jose Mourinho’s Roma — becoming the second Englishman to delight supporters in the eternal city after Paul Gascoigne’s famous exploits with Lazio in the 1990s.

Three Serie A strikes and two assists have undoubtedly helped Abraham adapt to life in the Italian capital and he will expect to be among the goals once again if he starts against San Marino.