Southgate searches for solutions as England train for Nations League - in pictures

England manager Gareth Soutgate is facing pressure from all directions after an increasingly difficult build-up to the World Cup 2022.

The Three Lions' performances in their previous round of Nations League matches set the alarm bells ringing with the finals in Qatar looming on the horizon.

Southgate's side look set for relegation from their Nations League group heading into Friday's match against Italy. England failed to win any of their four games in June, a dismal run that featured two defeats against Hungary – the last of which a 4-0 humiliation at Molineux.

That triggered a deluge of criticism for Southgate. However, what will concern the manager even more is the fitness issues, poor form or fragile club status of some of his key players two months out from the World Cup.

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

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is out injured, centre-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 the first six weeks of the Premier League.

England winger Jack Grealish believes it is unfair to attack the manager who led his country to the Euro 2020 final and the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

“We reached the final last year and then the Hungary game [where England lost 1-0] at the start of the last camp. I think before that the last time we'd lost a game over 90 minutes was maybe Belgium in November 2020 or something,” Grealish said.

“So, I think it is very harsh,