Thomas Tuchel has already revealed that Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are amongst 11 players who are linking up with the England squad late and sitting out their opening friendly. The Three Lions manager named an extended 35-man squad for the fixtures against Uruguay and Japan at the end of March, fully aware that nearly a third of his players would be absent for the initial stage of the international break.

They will join their England team-mates following the clash with Uruguay at Wembley, with Tuchel explaining that the decision is driven by two factors. In part, it stems from a wish to manage workloads, as many of the absent players are key figures for their clubs, while they have also demonstrated their capabilities in previous England camps.

Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers are two further attacking players, alongside Kane and Saka, who will sit out the opener. Midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson will join the squad at a later stage too.

Manchester City’s Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa are among the defenders granted additional rest, as is Dan Burn. Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, one of five shot-stoppers named in the squad, will also be absent initially.

Tuchel explained: “It’s no secret. The players know: it’s Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

“All of these guys have played 3,500-plus minutes, some of them have 4,000 minutes. More important than the pure number of minutes is that some of these guys have already played more than in all of last season and there is still a lot of football to play.

“All of these players have contributed in September, October and November – so they have credit with me. We will benefit from giving them a break physically and mentally.”

Their absences provide others with the opportunity to impress, some of whom have secured recalls following years outside of the England setup. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s performances for Leeds see him return and, with Kane unavailable for the Uruguay fixture, he may be handed the opportunity to spearhead the attack.

James Garner has earned himself a place in the squad and with Rice and Anderson, two central midfielders, initially unavailable the Everton star may feature. James Trafford and Jason Steele are both goalkeeping alternatives, although number one Jordan Pickford will be available.

Harry Maguire is restored to the squad after years in the wilderness, and the Manchester United centre-back may still secure some playing time with some of the first-choice defenders unavailable.