England vs Italy: England's concerns mount as Nations League relegation looms

imminent prospect of relegation from Nations League's elite is unlikely to worry Gareth Southgate.

What might be troubling England coach far more is fitness issues, poor form or fragile club status of some of his key players two months out from World Cup.

From team that started European Championship final against Italy last year, defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have been dropped by Manchester United and central midfielder Kalvin Phillips requires shoulder surgery and could miss World Cup .

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is out injured, center back John Stones has been playing as a right back for Manchester City, and midfielders Declan Rice and Mason Mount have been in underwhelming form for West Ham and Chelsea, respectively, in first six weeks of Premier League.

re's plenty for Southgate to ponder, n, heing into matches against Italy — in Milan on Friday — and Germany — at London's Wembley Stium on Monday — in a Nations League group where England is in last place after two draws and two losses.

Ar loss in Italy will see England drop into second tier of UEFA tournament, which will dam pride of Southgate's squ, if thing else.

It's bigger picture — essentially, World Cup — that is key for Southgate, and what he will effectively be judged on, with some critics having rounded on him after a shocking 4-0 home loss to Hungary in England's last match .

Southgate will want to see a reaction in coming week.

“I’m t going to speak for manr, but I’m sure he’s got certain players that are 100% to go to World Cup, and n re’s obviously certain places and numbers that are still up for grabs,” England midfielder Jack Grealish said.

“We have two matches w that are going to be very tough opposition and this is really like your pre-World Cup camp. We were saying before that, before Euros, we h a good few weeks of training sessions, good friendlies, and we’re t going to get that this time. But everyone’s in same boat, so it’s something that we need to embrace and look forward to.”

Nick Pope is likely to fill in for Pickford, who should be back soon after international break, while Jude Bellingham might be favorite to replace Phillips after enhancing his burgeoning reputation with strong performances for Borussia Dortmund.

At 19, Bellingham has so much potential and Rice — a lock in central midfield under Southgate — enviss playing alongside teenr for a dece.

“I hope that we can go on for next 10 years and create a special, special bond in middle of pitch,” Rice said.

“He’s energetic, he’s strong, has self-belief, fear,” Rice ded. “He’s got everything as a 19 year old, you kw. He’s a man, he has played on big occasions alrey."

Maguire is set to start, while Southgate has to choose between Shaw and Chelsea's Ben Chilwell at left back, neir of whom have seen much game time recently.

“It is t ideal," Southgate said of some of his key players t playing for ir clubs, “but we feel y have been, and can be, important players for us. It is t a perfect situation but re is still a lot of football to be played before Qatar.”

Still in shock from failing to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup, European champion Italy is looking to regain some respect. That process could begin by reaching Nations League's Final Four.

Hungary les on seven points, one more than Germany, and y meet in Leipzig on Friday. Italy is on five points and England has two.

“We kw we owe something to our fans,” Italy center forward Ciro Immobile said. “In tough times, national team has represented a common bond for everyone and we saw how united Italy was during European Championship. That’s where we need to restart from.”

Immobile, who was criticized for his lack of goals during World Cup qualifying, considered retiring from national team.

“As weeks went by I realized that it shouldn’t be ors to decide my destiny,” he said. “I still have a lot to give.”

Italy is missing midfielder Marco Verratti and winger Federico Chiesa due to injury.