We are now less than four months away from the opening game of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Three Lions will kick off their campaign on June 18 against Tunisia, four days after the opening game of the World Cup when hosts Russia face Saudi Arabia.

We asked our football writers from across the south east to pick out who would be in their starting XI, if they were picking the England team right now based on current form.

See who they have chosen below.

Head of sport, Lee Wilmot

Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Ryan Bertrand; Eric Dier, James Ward-Prowse; Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard; Harry Kane.

I think there are six players who could arguably say their space in the starting line-up is guaranteed - barring injuries of course. I think Walker, Stones, Dier, Sterling, Alli and Kane are nailed on starters. The other five berths are up for grabs.

I'd go with Jordan Pickford in goal, just over Jack Butland, which purely comes down to their two sides' positions in the league. Harry Maguire has shown his capabilities at the back, so I'll choose him to partner Stones, while in Danny Rose's injury absence, Ryan Bertrand gets the nod at left-back.

James Ward-Prowse of Southampton
James Ward-Prowse of Southampton

Alongside Dier I've gone for James Ward-Prowse. He's been brilliant in a struggling Southampton team and deserves a shot.

Then Jesse Lingard may not be my favourite player, but he's proven his worth at Manchester United and is getting more minutes than Marcus Rashford, so he makes up my three behind Harry Kane.

Crystal Palace club writer for the Croydon Advertiser, Robert Warlow

Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Gary Cahill, Ryan Bertrand, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling, Theo Walcott, Harry Kane.

There are six players who, provided they stay fit, are surely certainties to start for England against Tunisia on June 18.

Three of those are from Tottenham – Eric Dier, Dele Alli and the Premier League’s top scorer, Harry Kane.

Another is a former Spurs man in Kyle Walker, and two of his team-mates at Manchester City, in John Stones and Raheem Sterling.

All six of them have been key to the form of City and Spurs this season, and are likely to be similarly vital to England’s hopes of doing well in Russia.

Beyond them, in my opinion, there are only a few selection issues for Gareth Southgate.

One of them is in goal, where England’s number one in recent times Joe Hart is struggling to get a game at West Ham. Other options are Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland, who are both playing for teams not doing well defensively this season, but the Everton man gets the nod for me due to his distribution and communication skills.

In defence, Gary Cahill may not be playing every week for Chelsea, but his experience gives him the edge over the likes of Leicester City’s Harry Maguire and Manchester United duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, while the left-back slot is likely to go to Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand, if Spurs’ Danny Rose is not fit.

In midfield, Jack Wilshere’s form for Arsenal should see him start in the centre of the park, along with Tottenham duo Dier and Alli.

Out wide, there is another decision to be made, and in my opinion it is dependent on form between now and the end of the season.

Jesse Lingard was in superb form for Manchester United earlier this season, but that has dipped in recent weeks, and Theo Walcott’s move from Arsenal to Everton seems to have given him a new lease of life. If he can stay fit and in form between now and May, he could just get the nod.

Watford club writer for the Hertfordshire Mercury, Matt Storey

Jack Butland, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane

Wow, we're actually going to win the World Cup.

Digital football writer Mark Ritson

Nick Pope, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Eric Dier, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli, Harry Kane.

I am going for a 4-3-3 formation, which turns into 3-4-3 on the counter attack.

On form, I am a big fan of what Nick Pope has achieved in such a short space of time at Burnley - he's really made his mark in a stubborn defence. He has more of a presence than Jordan Pickford, for me.

I have been a Joe Hart fan for several years, but question marks were raised about him at Euro 2016 and this year he's out of favour on loan at West Ham. Pope will be up against Hart, Pickford and Fraser Forster for a squad place.

Michael Keane, Dele Alli, John Stones and Wayne Rooney look on during an England training session in 2016
Michael Keane, Dele Alli, John Stones and Wayne Rooney look on during an England training session in 2016

In defence, John Stones has been part of Man City's great season so far, while Gary Cahill has big game experience and just gets in ahead of Phil Jones, but only just.

Kyle Walker is a menace getting forward down the right, while I am going for a surprise choice at left-back in Ashley Young.

He's done a good job there for Man United. He gets forward, has good energy, can deliver crosses and isn't bad from dead-balls. I would have picked Danny Rose, but he's been injured to get a full run of games lately. Fabian Delph and Ryan Bertrand were also in my thoughts.

In midfield, Eric Dier is the anchor man. He sits and protects. When Walker and Young go forward, he drops in to form a three-man defence.

Jack Wilshere can unlock defences and is a must. It's great to see him back to his best for Arsenal. He is a key man, for me, on the counter.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a slow start to life at Liverpool, but now plays in a central position than out wide and has excelled. He has good energy and carries creativity, ahead of someone like Jordan Henderson and Jake Livermore.

In attack, similar to the way Tottenham play with a narrow front three, Dele Alli takes his place to link up with the unstoppable Harry Kane.

England can get their width from the likes of Walker and Young. Raheem Sterling has had an outstanding campaign for Manchester City - he's on fire and could thrive in a more central role.

A final word on Kane - this is his time to shine on the world stage after showing he can do it in the big Premier League games and Champions League.

Fulham club writer for Get West London, Ryan O'Donovan

Jack Butland; Kyle Walker, Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, John Stones; Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere, Jesse Lingard; Dele Alli, Harry Kane

I don't really care about England if I'm honest with you, my World Cup ended with a flash of red on a cold night in Dublin in November.

I'll be more interested in the GAA, but I've been forced by my boss to pick an England team to rub salt into my wounds.

I like Jack Wilshere and think he's England's best midfielder when fit, Raheem Sterling has to play while there's goals in Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane. I hope they go out in the group stages, but it might be enough for the last 16.

Brentford club writer for Get West London, Tom Moore

Jack Butland, Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, John Stones, Ryan Bertrand, Eric Dier, Adam Lallana, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Jesse Lingard

I like attacking teams and I believe this side will pose a threat going forward, while also having a capability to defend.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is tackled by Javi Manquillo of Newcastle United and a penalty is awarded during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is tackled by Javi Manquillo of Newcastle United and a penalty is awarded during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United

England have little chance of winning the World Cup in my opinion so I'd rather see them play attacking football with passion and verve.

A lot is made of the media and fan pressure but all most Three Lions fans want is an England team that commits to the cause and leaves nothing in the tank.

Charlton Athletic club writer for Kent Live, Clive Youlton

Jo​rdan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, ​John Stones, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Adam Lallana,​ Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane.

I'​d give Pickford a chance in goal although I was tempted to go for Hart with his experience. I don't rate Chris Smalling and ​I'm not a big fan of John Stones ​but would probably plump for him despite his tendency to give the ball away at times and make mistakes. Gary Cahill isn't doing brilliantly at Chelsea, ​but ​who else is there?​ ​

I don't rate ​Eric ​Dier ​particularly ​but he is useful at free kicks and a steadying influence​ and you need someone to do the donkey work behind the flair players​​.

​I would go all out ​attack further forward. England won't do well anyway​ in my opinion​ so they might as well fail by trying to score more goals than the opposition than be dull in defeat.

​I would love to see Jermain Defoe​ on the bench as someone who can come on and nab a goal.

​I worry that Harry Kane won't get the chances he does at Spurs for obvious reasons but he is obviously a must and I know Adam Lallana hasn't been playing but I just like him in an England shirt and think he can be a creative force.

​It's a narrow-looking team but I think Marcus Rashford can do his bit coming off the wings to conjure up opportunities so I wouldn't be concerned by the lack of width, and Danny Rose and Kyle Walker can do their bit getting forward on the flanks.

We will ask the same reporters to pick their team when the season finishes to see how different they are.

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