Gareth Southgate will be holding his breath during the final round of club games this weekend

After confirming his 26-man World Cup squad on Thursday, you would hardly blame Gareth Southgate for being a bag of nerves ahead of this weekend’s club-football finale.

Only one hurdle remains for his chosen England stars in their bid to head to Qatar free of any knocks, niggles or, touch wood, serious injuries.

Southgate has already lost Reece James and Ben Chilwell over the past month, while Kyle Walker has been included in his squad despite not yet returning to full fitness. Thus, the Three Lions boss will be holding his breath over the next three days.

Gareth Southgate will be holding his breath during the final round of club games this weekend

Gareth Southgate will be holding his breath during the final round of club games this weekend

Almost all of England's World Cup squad members will be in action over the next three days, meaning they risk picking up devastating injuries at the final hurdle

Almost all of England’s World Cup squad members will be in action over the next three days, meaning they risk picking up devastating injuries at the final hurdle

With the exception of Walker, all of his players are likely to rack up minutes for their respective club teams, meaning plenty of final-hurdle injuries will be at risk.

So when is each member of England’s squad playing across the weekend? Sportsmail brings you updates on their progress game by game.

Jude Bellingham (Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 BORUSSIA DORTMUND – Friday 7:30pm)

Having started all 14 of Dortmund’s previous Bundesliga matches this season, there was little surprise to see Bellingham in the line-up again for their loss at Borussia Monchengladbach. However, despite seeing the midfielder on the losing side, Gareth Southgate would have been left purring at the 19-year-old not just come through 90 minutes unscathed but also produce a classy 30-yard assist.

Not only did Jude Bellingham avoid any knock on Friday night, he delivered a classy assist too

Not only did Jude Bellingham avoid any knock on Friday night, he delivered a classy assist too

John Stones (MAN CITY vs Brentford – Saturday 12:30am)

Stones has started City’s last two Premier League games after returning from a hamstring injury in October and, with a win required to keep pace with Arsenal at the top, Pep Guardiola is unlikely to do Southgate any favours. 

Phil Foden (MAN CITY vs Brentford – Saturday 12:30am)

The 22-year-old has been left out of City’s last three starting lineups in the league, meaning it would be a surprise if he misses out again here.

Phil Foden is one of four Manchester City men who could play against Brentford on Saturday

Phil Foden is one of four Manchester City men who could play against Brentford on Saturday

Jack Grealish (MAN CITY vs Brentford – Saturday 12:30am)

With Foden likely to start, Grealish could well start on the bench with Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez also in contention, but expect him to play some part at the Etihad.

Kalvin Phillips (MAN CITY vs Brentford – Saturday 12:30am) 

Returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Chelsea and can only hope for another brief run-out here.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIVERPOOL vs Southampton – Saturday 3pm)

Alexander-Arnold remains an integral member of Jurgen Klopp’s side and will be expected to start at Anfield. 

Jordan Henderson (LIVERPOOL vs Southampton – Saturday 3pm)

In and out of their XI so far this season, the Liverpool captain is not guarantee to play from the start on Saturday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson (left and right) are likely to feature for Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson (left and right) are likely to feature for Liverpool

Jordan Pickford (Bournemouth vs EVERTON – Saturday 3pm)

The England goalkeeper is Frank Lampard’s No 1 at Goodison Park, meaning he will be heavily involved in a must-win game for his struggling Toffees.

Conor Coady (Bournemouth vs EVERTON – Saturday 3pm)

Another of Lampard’s ever-presents who is certain to start on such a crucial afternoon for Everton. 

Declan Rice (WEST HAM vs Leicester – Saturday 3pm)

Another team in need of three points on the final weekend is West Ham, meaning their captain’s presence is essential. 

James Maddison (West Ham vs LEICESTER – Saturday 3pm)

Maddison’s red-hot form for the Foxes this term, which earned him a place in Southgate’s squad, makes him a guaranteed starter for Brendan Rodgers. 

Conor Coady and Jordan Pickford will be heavily involved in a must-win game for Everton

Conor Coady and Jordan Pickford will be heavily involved in a must-win game for Everton

In-form James Maddison will be desperate not to ruin his World Cup dream this weekend

In-form James Maddison will be desperate not to ruin his World Cup dream this weekend

Eric Dier (TOTTENHAM vs Leeds – Saturday 3pm)

The Spurs defender has started 13 out of 14 Premier League games in 2022-23 and, after suffering three defeats in six, Antonio Conte will need him from the start against Leeds. 

Harry Kane (TOTTENHAM vs Leeds – Saturday 3pm)

The only way Southgate’s captain sits this one out is if Conte has backed him to win the World Cup Golden Boot. Certain to start.

Nick Pope (NEWCASTLE vs Chelsea – Saturday 5:30pm)

Pope has not missed a minute in goal for the high-flying Magpies this term and that is unlikely to change when Chelsea visit St James’ Park. 

Kieran Trippier (NEWCASTLE vs Chelsea – Saturday 5:30pm)

Another indispensable for Eddie Howe, the 32-year-old is set to play a full part in Saturday’s clash on Tyneside. 

An injury to England captain Harry Kane would be disastrous at this stage

An injury to England captain Harry Kane would be disastrous at this stage

Callum Wilson (NEWCASTLE vs Chelsea – Saturday 5:30pm)

Wilson is a man in form right now with three goals in as many games. Newcastle will be relying on him once more this weekend. 

Conor Gallagher (Newcastle vs CHELSEA – Saturday 5:30pm)

A surprise inclusion in Southgate’s squad, Gallagher has only started six of Chelsea’s 13 games and is more likely to come on from the bench. 

Mason Mount (Newcastle vs CHELSEA – Saturday 5:30pm)

The pressure is on Graham Potter after suffering three defeats in four games, so expect Mount to be included in his starting line-up this weekend.

Raheem Sterling (Newcastle vs CHELSEA – Saturday 5:30pm)

While his form has plummeted of late, the England forward appears a favourite of Potter’s and it would be a surprise to see him benched on Saturday. 

Aaron Ramsdale (Wolves vs ARSENAL – Saturday 7:45pm) 

The Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper is certain to start as they look to maintain top spot heading into the World Cup break at Molineux.

Ben White (Wolves vs ARSENAL – Saturday 7:45pm)

In Mikel Arteta’s four-man backline White has impressed at right-back, which makes it unlikely the Arsenal boss will leave him out here. 

Bukayo Saka (Wolves vs ARSENAL – Saturday 7:45pm)

The 21-year-old is in superb form this term with five goals and six assists to show for his 13 appearances. Another certainty to start.

Bukayo Saka is in great form for Arsenal and will be expected to start against Wolves

Bukayo Saka is in great form for Arsenal and will be expected to start against Wolves

Harry Maguire (Fulham vs MAN UNITED – Sunday 4:30pm)

Maguire, who returned from a hamstring problem at the end of October, played for United in the Carabao Cup on Thursday so could sit out this trip to Craven Cottage.

Luke Shaw (Fulham vs MAN UNITED – Sunday 4:30pm)

The England left-back has regained his place in Erik ten Hag’s starting XI of late and will hope to keep momentum going on Sunday. 

Marcus Rashford (Fulham vs MAN UNITED – Sunday 4:30pm)

A man reborn under Ten Hag, Rashford has provided 11 goal contributions in 18 games for United and will hope to add to that tally in west London. 

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