Phil Jones, Alfie Mawson and Jamaal Lascelles are some of the centre-back options available to Gareth Southgate at the World Cup… so who has a place in the future of England's defence?

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England made light work of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia by securing their passage from Group F with a game to spare.

Gareth Southgate's men have been mean at both ends having conceded just three goals in seven games – two of which came in the thriller with Scotland at Hampden Park in June.

With Chelsea's Gary Cahill and Manchester City's John Stones all but assured of their place in Russia, Sportsmail assesses the other centre back candidates for Southgate's squad and whether they have a future in the international set-up.

John Stones and Gary Cahill have all but booked their place on the plane, but who joins them?

Phil Jones

Once described by Sir Alex Ferguson as a man who could become United's 'best ever player', he remains a defender who polarises opinion week on week.

With a passing percentage of 90.47 since August 2016, there is a feeling in the red half of Manchester that Jones has kicked on under United boss Jose Mourinho.

The arrival of Sweden's Victor Lindelof initially appeared to see Jones pushed out of the fold but the reality has been quite the opposite.

Two starts in England's last two World Cup qualifiers before Thursday suggests a place in Russia is in Jones' hands.

The 25-year-old has been blighted by injuries throughout his career but fit and firing, he should make the squad next summer.

Chance of making squad for Russia = 7.5/10

Phil Jones was once described as someone who could become United's best ever player

Chris Smalling

The out-of-favour Manchester United man is the most-capped centre back behind Cahill but that alone will not guarantee his place on the plane to the World Cup.

Southgate has shown he wants players in form rather than picking based on name alone and, following the arrival of Lindelof, coupled with the quality of Ivorian Eric Bailly, Smalling's first-team opportunities look limited to the domestic cups.

With just 13 starts since the beginning of last season – only Arsenal's Rob Holding has fewer – questions marks will not disappear if a place on the bench becomes a regular fixture, rather than a rarity, for the ex-Fulham man.

With form not on his side, Smalling could be the high profile defensive casualty for Russia.

Chance of making squad for Russia = 5/10

Chris Smalling (right) is out of favour at Manchester United but will be desperate for a spot

Michael Keane

When 24-year-old Keane swapped Burnley's Turf Moor for Everton's Goodison Park in the summer, pundits saw it as one of the window's biggest coups.

But after a tricky start to life on Merseyside his place at the World Cup is far from assured.

The £25million defender tops the charts for blocks made and aerial duals won in comparison to the other names in the conversation and with two England caps already, he knows what it is like to be part of an international squad while others do not.

Partnered by Welshman Ashley Williams at Everton, Keane will get regular game-time both in the Premier League and in the Europa League this season.

Another in the conversation as a potential future England captain, any omission is likely to be down to poor form rather than inexperience or a lack of ability.

Chance of making the squad for Russia = 6/10

Michael Keane has been mentioned in conversations about the future England captain

Alfie Mawson

As Swansea eased past a struggling Reading in the Carabao Cup third round, much of the talk in the press box surrounded the quality of centre back Mawson.

The well-trodden path up the footballing pyramid has been accelerated given he was playing for Welling United in the National League three years ago.

Even at the age of 23 the former Barnsley captain has a burning ambition to be the leader for club and country and few would bet against it in the coming years.

When quizzed on England he said: 'Do I want to be England captain? 100 per cent. I want to be captain at club level and if that ever meant becoming a captain at national level that would be a dream come true.'

Without a call-up to the first team, Mawson will hope his assured performances for the under-21s in the summer won't have gone unnoticed.

An outside bet for the 23-man Russia squad, his inclusion could hinge on the system Southgate opts for.

If that decision is a back three then there is a real case to have Mawson on the plane.

Chance of making the squad for Russia = 5.5/10

Alfie Mawson (right) has a burning desire to become captain for club and for country

Jamaal Lascelles

The youngest captain in the Premier League, Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles is now firmly in the discussion for an England place in Russia.

Under Rafa Benitez, the 23-year-old has shown maturity beyond his years and is one of the most in-form centre backs in the division so far this season, even signing a new six-year deal on Friday.

Since August 2016 the former Nottingham Forest man has scored five goals – the most of all the defenders in this list – and the question now will be whether he can sustain his early form for the season's entirety.

With set-plays a key differential on the international stage, Lascelles' dominance in the air would provide Southgate's squad with a real asset at both ends.

If the goals and clean sheets continue to add up he could become impossible to ignore at St. George's Park.

Chance of making the squad for Russia = 6.5/10

Jamaal Lascelles signed a new contract at Newcastle and could be in England contention

Harry Maguire

Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare was far from conservative when asked about Maguire's chances on the international stage.

'I don't see why he couldn't be a future England captain,' he said.

While that won't be the case in Russia there is a real feeling that Maguire possesses all the attributes to become a mainstay in the team – an heir to Cahill and a complement to the ball-playing Stones.

Maguire is the old fashioned defender in this discussion; a no-nonsense centre back who thwarts attackers rather than build attacks from the back like Stones and Keane are renowned for.

Topping the charts for tackles and interceptions over 90 minutes since the start of last season, every great centre-back partnership is made up of style and substance.

While Russia may be a tournament too soon, Maguire could kick on to be that future substance.

Chance of making the squad for Russia = 4.5/10

Harry Maguire is an old-school centre back who thwarts attacks rather than builds them

Rob Holding

When Arsene Wenger brought an inexperienced Holding into an Arsenal back three at the end of last season, many at the Emirates rejoiced, rather than winced.

Aged 22, Holding has already demonstrated his talents as a strong and capable centre back who looked in his element during tussles against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea last term.

But every player's rise comes with a dip and having made just two starts this season, conceding seven goals in the process, the case for Holding to go to Russia looks pretty frail.

With time on his side there is no doubt that Holding will get his chance in the international team but it is unlikely to come in Russia.

Chance of making the squad for Russia = 2/10

Rob Holding has already demonstrated his talents as a strong and capable centre back

Ben Gibson

Gibson is the only player in this list who is currently playing in the Championship and that, naturally, will count against him earning a place in Russia.

Speculation around Gibson leaving Middlesbrough was rife in the summer window with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City believed to be contemplating a late bid for him.

At 24, Gibson has fierce competition for places in the England set-up and needs regular Premier League football to remain in Southgate's thoughts.

Under the tutelage of former Swansea centre back Garry Monk at Boro this season, Gibson must refine his reading of the game, improve his aerial duals and hope injuries see him propelled into the fold.

Chance of making the squad for Russia = 1/10

Ben Gibson is currently plying his trade in the Championship and that may count against him