Football Manager predicts England stars to miss Euro 2024 - including Newcastle and Aston Villa heartbreak

England have already secured their place at the Euro 2024 Finals and all eyes are now on who could secure a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for the tournament.

The Three Lions manager has sprung a few surprises in his latest squad as his side round off the qualification process with a double header against Malta and North Macedonia. A number of withdrawals have also led to late call-ups for Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Ezri Konsa as they get their chance to make a bid for the final squad.

A Wembley double header against Belgium and Brazil in March will be another opportunity for players to impress ahead of the final squad selection - but who does Football Manager 2024 believe will represent England at next summer's tournament?

Goalkeepers

Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope, Jordan Pickford.

Three of Southgate’s regulars will battle it out for the number one shirt at the tournament and there seems little surprise in the selection of three keepers that have formed part of England squads with regularity in recent years.

Who missed out?

Sam Johnstone, Fraser Forster and Dean Henderson are left watching on from afar after missing out on a place in Southgate's 26-man selection.

Defenders

Kyle Walker, John Stones, Lewis Dunk, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Ben White, Harry Maguire.

There are some surprises in this selection as Ben White returns to contention on the back of an impressive season with Arsenal as the Gunners ended the Premier League in second place and lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Lewis Dunk sees off some serious competition at centre-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold is named as a defender - although could feature in midfield as he has done for Liverpool over the last 12 months.

Who missed out?

Where to start here? Kieran Trippier and Reece James are the biggest casualties - although both players are still making their way back from injury in this virtual world. However, several players have simply been ignored by Southgate with Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Tyrone Mings all missing out.

Midfielders

Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, James Ward-Prowse, Kalvin Phillips

Again, Southgate favourites receive call-ups in midfield as Jordan Henderson is named in the squad despite spending the season in Saudi Arabia. Unlike in the real world, West Ham United star James Ward-Prowse does make the cut. Kalvin Phillips is also named despite making only one start in the Premier League for champions Manchester City.

Who missed out?

Conor Gallagher is the out man out in midfield as he comes off second-best in his battle with Ward-Prowse. It is hardly a surprise as the Chelsea man has spent the majority of this virtual season sat on the Blues bench.

Attacking Midfielders

Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount

Virtual Southgate goes where real world Southgate does not as Raheem Sterling makes the cut as an attacking options alongside former team-mates Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.  Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford are also named.

Who missed out?

James Maddison will be unquestionably the most eye-catching absentee from this squad as the former Leicester City man fails to be rewarded for an outstanding first season at Tottenham Hotspur. Eberechi, Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen also miss out on a place in the squad.

Forwards

Callum Wilson, Ivan Toney, Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Now then, there is plenty to unpack here. The selection of Kane is unquestionable and the virtual Kane has enjoyed a similar season to the real world with a stunning return of 39 goals in 51 appearance for Bayern Munich.

Despite going into the tournament with a thigh strain, Callum Wilson is named and Ivan Toney clearly made an impression on his return from a long suspension to take his place in the squad. An injury-laden season was not enough to dissuade Southgate from naming Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Who missed out?

The most obvious name missing is Ollie Watkins as the Aston Villa man is left on the sidelines despite scoring 23 goals in 48 appearances during the season. That figure is more than Wilson, Toney and Calvert-Lewin's combined total for the campaign. Perhaps less of a surprise is the omission of Eddie Nketiah, who has played a backup role for large parts of the season at Arsenal.