Troy Deeney may be on the verge of a debut England call-up with the Watford captain's form, coupled with injuries elsewhere, leaving the door ajar ahead of Gareth Southgate's squad announcement tomorrow.
The 28-year-old could not have made a better case for inclusion over recent weeks, ending a barren spell in front of goal with five goals in his last six Premier League games.
He is now only four away from his 13-goal tally last season with 11 games left, and, with Harry Kane ruled out of the Three Lions' games against Lithuania and Germany later this month, is the most in-form English striker in the top flight.
Southgate has already indicated he may choose to name a larger squad for the two fixtures than he would normally, given fitness doubts over a number of his England regulars.
Here's a look at how Troy - and the other runners and riders - shape up in their race to be named in tomorrow's squad:
Troy Deeney - nine goals, 2327 PL minutes
A season-best spell of five goals in six games has propelled Watford's captain up the scoring charts. He is a little different to Southgate's other options - physical, but not Carroll-esque, and fast, but not Vardy-esque.
There might never be a better time for the Birmingham-born striker to force his way in, with a number of his rivals either out of form, lacking game time or injured.
Marcus Rashford - three goals, 1064 PL minutes
Rashford picked himself off up his sick bed to start for Manchester United at Chelsea on Monday, and was close to a fine solo goal for the Red Devils after a mazy run from the half-way line.
That said, he has started only two Premier League games this calendar year, and his last top-flight goal came back in September. And even if he is sufficiently fit, he is more likely to be named in Aidy Boothroyd's Under-21 squad.
Danny Welbeck - one goal, 159 PL minutes
Marked his return from injury with a goal in Arsenal's 3-1 defeat at Liverpool last week, but has barely featured for the Gunners all season.
Would definitely be included if fit, but his 74-minute stint against the Reds will probably not prove enough to force his way into Southgate's thinking.
Jamie Vardy - seven goals, 1882 PL minutes
Rejuvinated under Craig Shakespeare, Vardy is a shoe-in for a place, and probably a starting berth, in the Three Lions' squad.
Scored a double against Leicester City a fortnight ago and was a livewire - and passable Tom Daley-impersonator - in their 2-0 win over Sevilla last night.
Andy Carroll - six goals, 980 PL minutes
Carroll's minutes-per-goal ratio is only slightly worse than Zlatan Ibrahimovic's this season, which tells you all you need to know about what he could have achieved had he spent less of the season on the treatment table.
Played the full 90 minutes in both of the Hammers' last two games, but did not score in either. With his fitness proven for the moment, however, he could well be back in England reckoning, and in line for a first appearance since 2013.
Andre Gray - eight goals, 1731 PL minutes
His goal ratio reads better than Deeney's over the season as a whole, but he has gone off the boil in recent weeks, and only has two goals in his last eight games.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche said he should take inspiration from Harry Kane in his search for an England spot, and he would offer pace Deeney simply cannot. But he might need his goalscoring touch to return before meriting inclusion.
Wayne Rooney - two goals, 994 PL minutes
It's impossible to overlook the England captain despite his inconsistent form for Manchester United. He will miss tomorrow's Europa League game with FC Rostov, but assuming his injury is not too severe, will be included.
Started their last competitive game, against Scotland in November, before coming off the bench the following week for their friendly with Spain.
Jermain Defoe - 14 goals, 2423 minutes
On goals alone, Defoe should be the first name in Southgate's strikers list this month. But scoring goals did little for the 34-year-old in Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad last year, and his age is counting firmly against him these days.
Defoe is actually enduring a bit of a drought in front of goal, netting in only one of his last six Premier League games. But his predatory instinct is unmatched by any English striker.
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