Tarkowski, Pope, Cook and Mawson will all be hoping for their first cap

Gary Cahill has been left sweating over his World Cup place after being left out of the England squad for the friendly matches this month.

The Chelsea centre back has paid the price for his poor form at club level and was not part of the 23-man squad named today by Gareth Southgate, which included four uncapped players. They include James Tarkowski, of Burnley, and Alfie Mawson, of Swansea City, with Manchester United defender Chris Smalling failing to win back his place having also been omitted from the last squad in November.

The Times revealed last month that Southgate was concerned about Cahill’s indifferent form, with Tarkowski being rewarded for his performances at the heart of a defence that has helped Burnley to seventh in