ENGLAND have a string of talented stars desperate not to go down in history as a one-cap wonder – and some still have dreams of jetting off to the World Cup this summer.
The are set to face Japan tomorrow, in what will be their final showdown before chief Thomas Tuchel names his squad for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
James Garner was handed his first England cap against UruguayCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
James Trafford also made his Three Lions debutCredit: Getty
James Garner and James Trafford boosted their hopes of making the cut when they were rewarded with their debuts in the last week.
But time is running out for others to prove they should be in the mix for a last-gasp call-up.
Tuchel, 52, will take a 26-man squad with him to the World Cup this summer.
And SunSport has taken a look at who still has a chance of adding to their one cap.
James Garner
Garner’s consistent form for Everton paid off when he was named in Tuchel’s for the clashes with Uruguay and Japan.
And the midfielder put in a promising performance as he made his bow under the Wembley arch.
It means that Garner could pick up his second cap as soon as tomorrow, with Tuchel considering giving him another chance against Japan.
The 25-year-old is also firmly in the running for a spot on the flight to North America this summer.
But Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, who is , are among the big names standing in his way.
Garner has worked his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plansCredit: Getty
The midfielder has been a consistent performer for EvertonCredit: Alamy
James Trafford
Trafford was between the sticks for England’s draw with Uruguay – conceding a stoppage time penalty from Federico Valverde.
It was the second time in a matter of days that the keeper had turned out at Wembley, having also been given the nod for over Arsenal.
But Trafford, 23, is facing an uphill battle to become an England regular because Jordan Pickford is the established No1.
Like Garner, he could still earn his second cap in the meeting with Japan tomorrow.
And he appears to be among Tuchel’s top three shot-stoppers after Newcastle’s .
Trafford is in the current England squadCredit: Getty
The keeper made his England debut days after winning the Carabao Cup with Manchester CityCredit: Alamy
Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah was forced to pull out of the squad this month.
But the fact that he was called up in the first place shows that he is in Tuchel’s thoughts.
Quansah has become a regular starter for Bayer Leverkusen – having joined the German giants from Liverpool last summer.
And, as long as he shakes off his injury in the coming weeks, the 23-year-old centre-back is expected to be on the flight to the World Cup.
It is understood that Tuchel has Quansah in the pecking order.
Jarell Quansah was in England’s initial squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and JapanCredit: PA
But the Bayer Leverkusen defender had to pull out through injuryCredit: Getty
Trevoh Chalobah
Trevoh Chalobah is in a race against time to prove his fitness before the World Cup.
The defender, 26, was after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in Chelsea’s Champions League last 16 second leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
But Chalobah is highly-rated by Tuchel, having worked together when the German tactician was in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
And that bond led to being handed his England bow in the last year.
Chalobah was an unused sub as the Three Lions wrapped up their World Cup qualification campaign with wins over Serbia and Albania last November but is expected to add to his solitary cap.
Trevoh Chalobah made his England debut last yearCredit: Getty
He was sidelined with a gruesome ankle injury earlier this monthCredit: Getty
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite made his international debut when in June 2024.
But the Everton fan favourite has not been in a Three Lions camp since, and that has allowed others to leapfrog him in the queue.
Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and John Stones are all primed to be in the World Cup squad if fit and available this summer.
And injuries have not helped Branthwaite in his bid to end the long wait for selection.
A hamstring problem resulted in the 23-year-old missing the first half of the season, but time is on his side as he looks to break back into the England set-up in the coming years.
Jarrad Branthwaite has one England cap to his nameCredit: Getty
The centre-back made his debut in June 2024Credit: Rex
Eddie Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah has been to Ghana ahead of the World Cup.
The Crystal Palace striker, 26, qualifies to represent the African country thanks to his parents.
And he has been in the wilderness since making his England debut in a win over Australia in October 2023.
Nketiah is facing a long road back to the Three Lions fold after struggling to discover his best form for Palace.
Harry Kane, Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were the centre forwards selected for the current international break, while Ollie Watkins and Danny Welbeck are also .
Eddie Nketiah has been considering switching international allegiancesCredit: Getty
The Crystal Palace striker could represent GhanaCredit: PA
James Justin
James Justin has notched 22 Premier League appearances as Leeds look to fend off an immediate relegation back to the Championship this season.
But it seems the versatile defender is facing an uphill battle to add to his one England cap.
Justin made his first Three Lions outing in a shock Nations League defeat to Hungary in June 2022.
And, despite having a from his time on Leicester’s books, the 28-year-old is not in Tuchel’s plans.
It means that Justin is on course to become an additional name on the list of stars who have featured for their country just once.
James Justin’s England bow came against HungaryCredit: Getty
The versatile defender is chasing Premier League safety with LeedsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford was given a chance to work his way into the England set-up when he started a World Cup qualification clash with Andorra in September 2021.
But the frontman failed to find the net against the minnows, leading to him being on the bench when the Three Lions headed to Poland three days later.
Another call-up has not come Bamford’s way and it appears his international career is over.
He was left without a club when it was last August.
Bamford, 32, has gone on to notch ten goals since joining Sheffield United as a free agent two months later.
Patrick Bamford got the nod against AndorraCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times
The striker has scored ten goals for Sheffield United this seasonCredit: Alamy
Alex McCarthy
Alex McCarthy is not expected to add to the solitary England cap he grabbed when he started a friendly against the USA in November 2018.
But Tuchel stunned fans when he handed Brighton keeper this month, so it cannot be totally ruled out.
McCarthy’s first England selection came all the way back in 2013, when was still in charge.
Sam Allardyce, Sir Gareth Southgate, Lee Carsley and Tuchel have all been at the helm since.
McCarthy, 36, has been an unused sub for England six times and has made ten outings for Championship side Southampton this season.
Alex McCarthy was handed his England debut by Roy HodgsonCredit: Reuters
The keeper is on Southampton’s booksCredit: Getty
Nathaniel Chalobah
Nathaniel Chalobah was on Watford’s books when he came on as a late sub in England’s Nations League win over Spain in October 2018.
That came after the midfielder was named in the Three Lions’ squad for the first time 13 months earlier.
But one-time Premier League title winner Chalobah is now preparing for life in the third tier, all but ending his England career.
The 31-year-old former Chelsea talent is with Sheffield Wednesday, who by being relegated from the Championship in February.
Chalobah has made just six appearances this season, with his only goal coming in a defeat to Leicester on the opening day of the campaign.
Nathaniel Chalobah has one cap to his nameCredit: Rex Features
He is preparing for life in League One with Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Alamy
Lewis Cook
Unlike Bamford, McCarthy and Nathaniel Chalobah, is still in the Premier League.
The midfielder, 29, is one of the leading voices in the dressing room at Bournemouth.
But it is highly unlikely that Cook will be handed another chance in the England fold.
He came on as a sub in a draw with Italy in March 2018, having also been in the squad for friendlies against Brazil and the Netherlands.
Cook now has a host of highly-rated options ahead of him in the pecking order.
Lewis Cook came on as a sub against ItalyCredit: PA:Press Association
The midfielder is a fan favourite at BournemouthCredit: Getty
Jack Cork
It would be a mistake to put money on Jack Cork coming back into the fray with England.
The defensive midfielder has not made a senior appearance since May 2024, despite still being on Burnley’s books.
Cork has turned his attention towards coaching and is now the assistant manager of the Clarets’ Under-21s.
His England debut came all the way back in November 2017, in a goalless draw with Germany.
Cork, now 36, was also on the bench when the Three Lions were involved in another 0-0 stalemate against Brazil four days later.
Jack Cork has been limited to one England appearanceCredit: Getty
He is transitioning into coachingCredit: Alamy
Nathan Redmond
Nathan Redmond hit the headlines last week, when after two months without a club.
But do not expect the 32-year-old’s move to Ewood Park to result in Tuchel racing to the phone.
Redmond was rewarded with his England debut in a 1-0 loss to Germany in March 2017.
The winger replaced Adam Lallana, , with 24 minutes to play.
He failed to make it off the bench in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania four days later and was not called up again.
Nathan Redmond joined Blackburn earlier this weekCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The winger has not been in the England fold since 2017Credit: Getty
Carl Jenkinson
earlier this month, but that will not lead to Carl Jenkinson getting a surprise recall.
The right-back, 34, came through the ranks at Arsenal and made his England debut in November 2012.
His Three Lions bow is best remembered for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s sensational four goals in a win for Sweden.
Jenkinson was left in a pre-season friendly against Millwall last summer.
Although he returned to action in January, he has only made six appearances this term.
Carl Jenkinson’s only Three Lions outing came against SwedenCredit: Getty
The former Arsenal youngster is now with BromleyCredit: Getty 
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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