Five English players overlooked for Slovenia squad selection

Cork was last capped at youth level when eligible for the Under-21s in 2011, but did turn out at the London Olympics as part of the Great Britain side selected by Stuart Pearce. If Saints can stay in the hunt for a European place, then surely Hodgson cannot ignored the 25-year-old’s claims.

Aaron Cresswell
Ashley Cole apart, the left side of England in general has been a problem position for years. Now, all of a sudden, there are options aplenty open to Hodgson, more than he can include on his roster. Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand can also feel aggrieved at missing out on a call, especially as Kieran Gibbs got the call as backup to Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw, despite Arsenal’s defensive laxities.

West Ham United’s Cresswell, 24, is playing Premier League football for the first time in his career, and has helped them to fourth after 11 games following a summer switch from Ipswich Town. He has a fantastic engine on him, not dissimilar to a young Baines getting up and down the flank. Cresswell is one to watch.

Eric Dier
Spurs defender Dier has already displayed a proficiency from set pieces this season since signing from Sporting Lisbon. Injury to Kyle Walker and now that Kyle Naughton has picked up a ban, he can expect more regular Premier League involvement over the weeks ahead, having mainly made outings in the Europa League recently.

Dier was not included on Gareth Southgate’s latest Under-21 roster, despite being eligible like Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. The Young Lions boss later claimed the player rejected this friendly opportunity in order to concentrate on nailing down a centre half spot instead of being club and country’s emergency right back, however.

If Dier’s development and danger from corners and free kick continues consistently at Spurs, surely senior caps are on the horizon.

Harry Kane
Tottenham forward Kane is in double figures across all competitions already this term, but seven Europa League strikes are only enough to earn him an Under-21 inclusion. Hodgson should certainly try the proven 16-goal partnership of Berahino and him at senior level soon, because they fired the Young Lions to the European youth finals in the Czech Republic next summer.

England are 5/1 chances to win all of their remaining Euro 2016 qualifying matches.