England's 2022 World Cup midfielders

Caps: 17 (0 goals)

Born: 29 June 2003 in Stourbridge

Debut: Republic of Ireland (friendly) on 12 November 2020

One man's misfortune is another's opportunity. Having cemented a midfield partnership with Declan Rice in the European Championship finals 18 months ago, Kalvin Phillips looked likely to start at the World Cup in Qatar too.

However, injury has restricted the Manchester City player to just a handful of minutes in total this season and has opened the door for Bellingham to assert his international credentials.

The 19-year-old has done just that, providing one of the few causes for optimism in an otherwise disappointing Nations League campaign.

Bellingham is an energetic and enterprising presence alongside the more combative Rice in the centre of the park. He has a big engine and an eye for opportunity.

Touted as one of the brightest young prospects outside the Premier League during his short time at Birmingham City, Bellingham took the bold decision move to Borussia Dortmund in July 2020.

He has thrived in Germany. Last season, he bagged six goals and 13 assists in 44 appearances. This campaign he is close to double figures for goals, having netted four times in five Champions League matches.

Bellingham's knock on the door became too loud for Southgate to ignore and he seems certain to start in Qatar.

Caps: 4 (0 goals)

Born: 6 February 2000 in Epsom

Debut: San Marino (World Cup qualifier) on 15 November 2021

Gallagher embodies the benefits of going out on loan to get regular first-team football. Having come through the Chelsea academy he found his playing time limited by the raft of talent ahead of him at Stamford Bridge. A loan move to Crystal Palace was the solution and his form while at Selhurst Park shot him up to the next level.

A dynamic, combative, box-to-box midfielder, Gallagher scored eight times in 34 games at Palace to put himself firmly on Southgate's radar.

Now back at Chelsea, he is playing less but very much a part of the first-team picture under new Blues boss Graham Potter.

He is a newcomer to the international scene, having only made his debut for the Three Lions in November 2021. He is very likely to start on the bench, with the likes of Bellingham and Declan Rice ahead of him in the pecking order.

But his flexibility allows for Southgate to change his formation if required and if extra energy is required, he is sure to bring it.

Caps: 70 (2 goals)

Born: 17 June 1990 in Sunderland

Debut: France (friendly) on 17 November 2010

If Bellingham brings youthful enthusiasm and endeavour, Henderson provides the guile and know-how of the wiser, more experienced man.

Now a veteran for club side Liverpool as well as his country, he is not now a guaranteed starter for either, but can be relied upon to add nous when called upon.

Henderson has played in two World Cup finals and two European Championships under four different Three Lions managers. As recently as 2020, he was named England's player of the year for his efforts in helping them qualify for the European Championship finals.

Under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, who he captained to a first English top-flight title in 30 years in 2019-20, he has developed his game - but it is his leadership skills that are arguably now his main asset.

It will be these that Southgate will hope he can use to good effect on and off the field in Qatar.

Caps: 32 (5 goals)

Born: 10 January 1999 in Portsmouth

Debut: Bulgaria (European Championship qualifier) on 7 September 2019

Mount has been one of England's most consistent performers since he made his debut in September 2019. A sign of his growing role for the national side is the importance of the fixtures in which he has played. Of his 32 caps, just three have been friendlies.

Having featured in qualifying campaigns for both the World Cup and Euros and helped his country reach the final of the latter in 2021, Mount has experience to go with his talent.

Skilful, intelligent, with an eye for a pass and a goal, Mount brings creativity and energy to the front third of the pitch.

In the Premier League last season for Chelsea he contributed 10 goals and 11 assists in 32 appearances - stats that helped him win the club's player of the season award for the second year in succession.

However, the Blues have struggled for consistency this campaign and Mount's performances and output have dipped from his high level of previous seasons.

Caps: 23 (0 goals)

Born: 2 December 1995 in Leeds

Debut: Denmark (Nations League) on 8 September 2020

A somewhat surprise selection by Southgate, not because of a lack of talent or experience but because of the injury problems that have dogged the defensive midfielder throughout this season.

Phillips has managed a very limited amount of first-team football this season following his summer move from Leeds to Manchester City, largely eradicating his chance to show what he can provide as a screening midfielder in front of the back four with the ability to pick a pass.

Phillips did return to play in City's recent Carabao Cup game with Chelsea and Southgate clearly feels he will be able to get up to speed again quickly and is worth the risk, considering the qualities he can bring to the England side and the competition he can provide to Bellingham.

So eager was Southgate to have Phillips in his squad, he first selected him before the player had featured in a single Premier League game. He was rewarded with some superb displays, most prominently at Euro 2020, where he started every game.

He was subsequently named England's player of the year for 2020-21.

Caps: 34 (2 goals)

Born: 14 January 1999 in Kingston upon Thames

Debut: Czech Republic (European Championship qualifier) on 22 March 2019

It is clear why England were so keen to convince Rice to switch allegiance from the Republic of Ireland, for whom he had played through the age-group levels. Since doing so in February 2019, the West Ham player has been one of the lynchpins of Southgate's side, providing a solid shield in front of the defence as well as a driving force through the middle of the pitch.

He was an ever-present in the side that reached the Euro 2021 final and has been a regular for the World Cup qualifiers for Qatar and the most recent Nations League.

Regarded as one of the leading midfielders in the Premier League and coveted by many, last season he scored three times in 10 games to help West Ham reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. He was named in the 2021–22 Europa League Team of the Year.

He has not missed a minute of Premier League action this season having taken over the club captaincy from Mark Noble.

Alongside captain Harry Kane and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Rice is arguably one of the few guaranteed starters in Southgate's side.