Friday 23 October 2015 15:49, UK
In-form strikers Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge are likely to be included in England boss Roy Hodgson's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.
Hodgson will name his 24-man party on Thursday afternoon for the crucial final Group H matches later this month and Rooney, who missed Manchester United's UEFA Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night after suffering a kick on his shin by Danny Welbeck in training, should be fit enough to feature.
Liverpool's Sturridge missed the last two qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine through injury but has been flying for Liverpool in recent weeks.
Rooney and Sturridge have scored 12 goals in 15 matches between them this season, and they are both almost sure to start against Montenegro if they come through their club games this weekend.
That will come as a relief to Hodgson with England one point ahead of Ukraine and Montenegro in the group so only two wins will guarantee Hodgson's men automatic entry to the finals in Brazil next summer.
Ukraine are expected to win their final two qualifiers against Poland at home and San Marino away, so in all likelihood if England collect four points, they will be destined for the play-offs.
If they fail to win against Montenegro a week on Friday, and Poland four days later, then their World Cup dreams will almost certainly be over.
Ordinarily, England would be expected to win at home against both nations, but their only qualification victories so far have come against one of the world's lowest-ranked teams in San Marino and against Moldova, who are sandwiched between Tanzania and Guyana at 129th in the rankings.
Montenegro gave England a real fright in March when they put on an impressive second-half display to earn a 1-1 draw.
Their coach Branko Brnovic has seen his country achieve three draws against England and he hopes to go one better at Wembley next week.
"There are very few teams that can boast such a record against the English," he said. "This gives us pride. Hopefully we can continue that trend, or even better it at Wembley."
Rooney, Sturridge, Phil Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all injured for the goalless draw against Ukraine last month and Welbeck missed out through suspension.
All of those players except Oxlade-Chamberlain are available now although Theo Walcott is missing after undergoing stomach surgery.
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert looks set to be included after he scored against Crystal Palace at the weekend and in defence Steven Caulker may get another call-up after his fine early-season form for Cardiff.
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster will also hope for a recall as competition for Joe Hart following his fine display against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
