Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish & the 20 England players who could benefit most from 26-player Euro 2024 squad expansion

Mainoo is more in than out as things stand after an outstanding breakout season at Manchester United, with his emergence one of few things Erik ten Hag has gotten right.

The midfielder has only just turned 19, but impressed after being promoted to the senior England squad for the March international break, and the expansion should guarantee him a place.

Even with three extra spots available, Rashford may have his work cut out to convince Southgate of his worth after a mightily underwhelming campaign at Manchester United.

There are others ahead of him in the pecking order as England are blessed with plenty of attacking options, but he should see this as motivation between now and the end of the season. A strong finish may well be a non-negotiable at this stage.

A player who could well be in direct competition with Rashford for one of the extra places on the plane. After being overlooked for the last England squad following an injury, Grealish is enjoying a timely return to form at Man City.

Pep Guardiola has trusted him in some key scenarios, including the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, and he has been rewarded. If he continues on his current trajectory, expect him to be on that plane. He has the mentality for the big occasion.

Konsa continues to be a key figure in an Aston Villa side pushing for Champions League qualification, and he will fancy himself as the first-choice replacement for John Stones with the tournament on the horizon.

It was telling that he appeared in both of England's friendlies in the March international break, and with the news of the expansion to 26-man squads, he can probably feel quite secure in Southgate's plans.

God knows where he will actually play, but given that bit more elbow room, Southgate will surely see fit to include Alexander-Arnold in the group - a player with the kind of world-class technique that can be the difference in key moments.

Although he was absent through injury last time, the coach has seemingly bought into his reinvention as a midfielder, and he could well come in handy there as the Three Lions look to strike the right balance depending on the opponent.

Toney would have been fearful that Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins had pulled clear of him in the race to be Kane's back-up in Germany, as the goals had dried up following his return from a ban.

However, an expanded squad should mean there is space for three strikers. The Brentford man is arguably more similar in profile to Kane, too, and we all know how reliable he is from the penalty spot.

Liverpool's Gomez has battled right back into England contention with a strong season at Anfield, and as another versatile defender he will surely be under serious consideration.

The 26-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries, was recalled to the England squad for the March international window and was given minutes against Brazil and Belgium, predominantly at left-back. Like many on this list, he still faces serious competition.

The only person who has any real idea of Henderson's chances of making the squad is Southgate, otherwise anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's.

Having flopped in Saudi Arabia, the midfielder has failed to get his season back on track in the Netherlands with Ajax. However, the England manager seems to think his experience and work ethic are invaluable, so the expansion may just have ensured his place.

Based on form and the season as a whole, the change to a 26-man squad should be very good news for Gordon. The Newcastle man is one of a host of left-wingers battling, probably, to play second fiddle to Foden.

He has been a consistent threat throughout the season, and with 20 goal contributions in all competitions he will feel he has done enough to earn a place - especially after being handed a first senior call-up in March.

Chelsea academy product Colwill was handed his senior England debut earlier this season, with Southgate evidently a fan of his work. However, he hasn't exactly hit the heights expected of him in a struggling Blues side.

While he is a strong left-footed option at centre-back, injuries could put paid to his chances of going to Germany. The 21-year-old has not played since early March due to a toe issue and is yet to return to training. Given the stiff competition, he faces an uphill task to battle back into Southgate's plans, although a 26-man squad offers hope.

England's most underrated player? In any other season, Bowen would have done more than enough already to have secured his place in a 23-man squad, let alone 26, and he might even be starting.

It's just his luck, then, that Cole Palmer has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Chelsea, and Saka is Southgate's go-to man on the right flank. Regardless, with 28 goal contributions he will surely make the cut.

A player who many England followers want to see starting in Germany amid an impressive campaign that has brought links to Manchester United, Branthwaite will feel he is now in a very good position as the tournament approaches.

At present, he is probably the go-to left-footed centre-back behind Harry Maguire, but much will depend on Everton avoiding a late-season collapse and the fitness of some of his rivals.

He couldn't, could he?! Phillips is enduring a loan from hell at West Ham, but the 26-man squad creates room for another defensive-minded midfielder, with England lacking depth behind Rice.

He has been warned by Southgate - who has been an advocate of his in the past - that he hasn't been good since leaving Man City for east London, as he was omitted from the most recent squad. It will take a monumental turnaround, but who knows what could happen if he rediscovers some form in the run-in.

England's forgotten man and a rank outsider despite the fact he is keeping Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano out of the Bayern Munich team - and he could be a Champions League winner when the tournament rolls around.

Dier believes he is playing "the best football of his career", and after his move to Germany, Southgate will surely have taken notice of a defender who has not played for England since the 2022 World Cup.

Utility players always have a better chance than most of making the cut, and young Lewis will feature prominently in his manager's thinking as we gear up for the summer showpiece.

Lewis is capable of operating at left-back, which is a problem position for the Three Lions, as well as in the midfield, and his technical ability and experiences in an elite team like Guardiola's Man City will make him an appealing option.

Yet another centre-back whose hopes have been boosted, Dunk figures in the current England set-up despite not having the most straightforward season at club level. Given the competition, he is one of those who will be sweating on his place on board the plane to Germany.

The Brighton skipper can take solace in being called up for the final squad before Southgate confirms his 26-strong group for the tournament, but the fitness and form of some of his compatriots could affect his status.

It's been at outstanding season for Jones, but there is the feeling that his chances of a first senior call-up at Euro 2024 are slim after he cruelly missed out on the March camp with injury.

He is back fit and will be desperate to finish the campaign strongly at Liverpool, with a 26-man squad providing more motivation. Southgate would be remiss not to consider him, as he could well be the missing piece in England's midfield puzzle.

England are well stocked when it comes to No.10s, but Crystal Palace favourite Eze could be a wildcard. The chance-creation machine brings something a bit different and less predictable than some of his rivals, and he has the ability to pop up and unlock a stubborn defence when the heat is on.

The competition may just be a little bit too stiff this time around, but the bigger squad means Southgate can afford to take a risk somewhere, and you wouldn't bet against Eze repaying that faith.

Yet another centre-back who is in with a decent chance of making an expanded squad, Crystal Palace's Guehi has been a regular feature of the England team over the last couple of years - although he missed out on the 2022 World Cup.

In normal circumstances, you'd say he had a very good chance of getting to a major tournament this time around, but the 23-year-old has been sidelined for more than two months after undergoing surgery on a knee injury. Luke Shaw is in a similar scenario, and Southgate has suggested he won't risk returning players.

The man with the least chance of making the squad on this list, and by some distance, but you just never know. Chelsea captain James has missed vast swathes of the season through injury and is yet to return to group training after hamstring surgery in December.

Add to that the wealth of options Southgate has on the right side of the defence and this is probably a non-starter. Nonetheless, he is one of the best in his position when free of injuries, and if he can somehow get fit and firing between now and the end of the season, he might just give the England manager a late headache.