Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, James Maddison and Nathaniel Chalobah have been included in England's squad for Nations League meetings with Croatia and Spain.
Gareth Southgate has put his faith in the four uncapped youngsters, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli and Manchester United's Jesse Lingard unavailable through injury.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of England's squad announcement for the forthcoming Nations League meetings with Croatia and Spain.
Gareth Southgate is expected to sign a new four-year contract with England at St George's Park on Thursday, extending his spell as manager of the national team until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Southgate will also announce his squad for this month's daunting trips to Rijeka and Seville, which will go a long way to deciding England's fate in Group 4 of Uefa's new competition.
England lost their inaugural Nations League game - falling to a 2-1 defeat against Spain at Wembley last month. Luis Enrique's side sit top of the group after thumping Croatia 6-0 - the heaviest defeat in the World Cup finalists' history.
Who's in and who's out?
Southgate is expected to once again keep faith with those who served him well at this summer's World Cup in Russia, though a spate of injuries could lead to some new faces joining up with the squad.
Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli is out with a hamstring problem while Manchester United's Jesse Lingard recent struggles with a groin issue are likely to see him stay at home.
Adam Lallana, injured when called up to last month's squad, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, out of favour at Chelsea, may also miss out.
Adam Lallana, injured when called up to last month's squad, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, out of favour at Chelsea, may also miss out.
James Maddison, the uncapped 21-year-old playmaker, is expected to be included after an impressive start to life at Leicester City, with three goals and two assists in his seven Premier League appearances so far.
Others in contention include Harry Winks, Conor Coady and Daniel Sturridge, though Southgate may ultimately decide these two testing competitive fixtures are not the time to experiment.
How does the Nations League work again?
It has been less than a month since England's 2-1 defeat to Spain at Wembley in their inaugural Nations League fixture, but you could be forgiven for forgetting just how Uefa's new, exciting but somehwat complicated tournament works.
Here's a handy guide to everything you need to know...
Uefa Nations League: What is it, how does it work, when will it start?
The new-fangled competition begins soon and will look to cash in on international football's golden summerSouthgate's new contract
It is understood that Southgate's new contract will see his salary jump to £2.5million-a-year.
It is a just reward for guiding England to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years this summer and enough for a wardrobe of M&S waistcoats.
Nations League, League A, Group 4
A reminder of how things stand in England's group...
Defeats in Rijeka and Seville would leave Southgate's side in a precarious position, but Spain's shellacking of Croatia helped their cause immensely.
Gareth Southgate signs contract up to 2022
Gareth Southgate has signed a new contract to remain as the England manager for the 2022 World Cup.
Southgate’s new four-year deal, understood to increase his salary to £2.5million-a-year, is a reward for guiding England to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years this summer.
The 48-year-old’s previous terms were set to expire following the 2020 European Championship.
Steve Holland, Southgate’s assistant manager, has also agreed a new, four-year deal.
Steve Holland, Southgate’s assistant manager, has also agreed a new, four-year deal.
Southgate speaks: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the national team through the next two major tournaments. The job remains an incredible privilege and a true honour.
“Experiencing at first-hand how the nation united behind the team this summer was something special and it will be great to see how far this young squad can go in the years to come.
“I must acknowledge the hard work and commitment of my staff and the players over the last two years.
“I have learned a great deal from them and their passion and professionalism in representing England has been an inspiration to my own work. In particular, Steve Holland who I’m pleased to be continuing to work alongside through to 2022.”
Gareth Southgate and Martin Glenn, the FA's chief executive, are now holding a press conference to discuss the England manager's new contract.
The squad announcement will follow around 2.30pm.
Glenn says Southgate has hardly put a foot wrong since taking on the role in 2016 - "save for when he goes running".
"It's not all about winning tournaments but I believe we will win a World Cup at some point in the not too distant future," Glenn adds.
Glenn says he expects England to be more consistent challengers at international tournaments in the future.
Gareth Southgate signs new England contract up until 2022 World Cup
Southgate has been rewarded for achieving England's best World Cup finish since 1990More from Glenn, who is bullish on England's chances of success in the long term: "We will win a World Cup, we are going to win a Euros."
"What we both want is to see progress. We can feel progress, the public senses it, the media see it."
Is a World Cup or Euros win feasible in the next four years?
Glenn: "Euros might be more difficult, there's a more concentrated group of teams.
"It's a very English tournament... we get some home advantage. We won't be defined by success finishing first, second or third."
Glenn says judging whether an overall sense of progress exists will be important.
Ashworth replacement
Dan Ashworth, the FA's technical director, recently left for Brighton and Hove Albion.
Glenn says a job advert will be posted next week for Ashworth's replacement and says successful candidate will align with the FA's current vision.
Anyone who comes in wanting to rip it up and start again will not be successful.
Southgate pays tribute to Ashworth. His opinion will be valued in the selection process for Ashworth's successor but he will not have a veto on the decision.
That's it for the first press conference. Here are the main take-aways...
Southgate and Holland sign new four-year deals
Glenn is confident of winning the World Cup/Euros in long-term
Southgate will have input on Ashworth's replacement but no veto
Sancho, Mount and Maddison named in England squad
Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, James Maddison and Nathaniel Chalobah have been included in England's squad for Nations League meetings with Croatia and Spain.
Gareth Southgate has put his faith in the four uncapped youngsters, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli and Manchester United's Jesse Lingard unavailable through injury.
Ross Barkley and Harry Winks return to the squad after catching the eye at club level while Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are omitted after struggling for regular playing time.
England squad to face Croatia and Spain
Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, Jack Butland, Alex McCarthy, Jordan Pickford
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Harry Maguire, Danny Rose, Luke Shaw, John Stones, James Tarkowski, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Nathaniel Chalobah, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Harry Winks.
Forwards: Harry Kane, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck
Sancho and Mount
Southgate says Sancho has been brave to move to Dortmund but has impressed there, starting two CL games and coming off the bench in the Bundesliga.
Mount created more chances than any other player in the Championship and Southgate was aware of his talents from when the youngster trained at St George's Park before the World Cup.
On Hart's omission, is his England career over?
"No, not at all," says Southgate. "Jack [Butland] started our last game so to leave him out because he's in the Championship would be inappropriate.
"From Joe's perspective, he looks settled. We don't need to see him in a game to know what he can do.
"We're looking at other young goalkeepers. There's no way Joe is ruled out long-term."
Would Southgate be willing to throw the youngsters into competitive games?
The England manager says you never know the quality of a young player until you test them.
He admits it may be slightly early for Sancho and Mount but believes this is an excellent chance for their development.
That's all from the England manager as he wraps up his press conference.
After sticking with the majority of his World Cup squad last time out, Southgate has gone with a much riskier selection this time around, with six uncapped players included and plenty of big names left out.
Here's the squad in full...
Nations League, League A, Group 4
England 1 Spain 2
8 September 2018
Spain 6 Croatia 0
11 September 2018
Croatia v England
12 October 2018
Spain v England
15 October 2018
Croatia v Spain
15 November 2018
England v Croatia
18 November 2018
