Our football team look at three possible starting XI's for England's friendly with the Netherlands on Friday as he steps up his World Cup preparations.
The build-up starts to get serious now for Southgate as he tries to figure out which way he'll go heading to the World Cup tournament in Russia.
Games against the Netherlands and Italy will give Southgate an opportunity to test out his preferred formation and also have a look at new players brought into the squad.
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But which way will he go? We've picked out three possible options - get in touch on Facebook here or Twitter @SportingLife and let us know your thoughts.
Option 1 - 4-2-3-1 (Paul Higham)
For the first game at least, I’ve gone for as close to the World Cup starting XI as I’d imagine it right now, without Kane of course, that Southgate should line up with in Russia.
Nick Pope gets his chance in goal and I’d like a look at Tarkowski straight away to see how he reacts, while Wilshere gets the nod in midfield ahead of Henderson to add a bit more creativity, with Alli relatively free to roam around and join the attack.
Welbeck is the Kane replacement as he can offer a similar presence up top – and Sterling and Rashford would be my World Cup starters out wide so they’re given a chance to get a game under their belts.
Lallana needs to prove his fitness first but we all know what he can do, while Oxlade-Chamberlain and Livermore offer no surprises but I’d like a look at my first string in the opening friendly. I’d consider starting Gomez and Maguire as an alternative centre back pairing in the second game.
Option 2 - 4-3-3 (Tom Carnduff)
Whilst the games tick away for England as they prepare for Russia, there is still time for Gareth Southgate to assess certain players against good-level opposition.
Nick Pope has been in remarkable form for Burnley as he’s stepped up in Tom Heaton’s absence. Those performances should be rewarded with a start in this friendly. I’d also back him to be in contention when England line-up against Tunisia in Volgograd.
Whilst I’d expect John Stones to be involved heavily in Russia, this friendly should be used to try out other defensive combinations and see which ones work with the summer’s tournament in mind.
James Tarkowski deserves a call-up to the squad as he has been a key part of one of the best defences in the Premier League. He’s the first of two players who should be given the opportunity to impress in Amsterdam on Friday.
The other is Lewis Cook. The Bournemouth midfielder has demonstrated that he is one of the best young midfielders that this country currently possesses. He also led England to success at under-20s level, captaining the side to World Cup glory.
In Kane’s absence, Vardy should get the start as he’s been in decent form for Leicester in front of goal. He’ll be one of England’s main hopes for goals come June.
Option 3 - Three at the back (George Pitts)
With no real dominant centre backs and question marks over most options, perhaps there’s something to be said for having safety in numbers.
Southgate used this formation in both November friendlies against Brazil and Germany and many feel this will be the way he plots his assault on the World Cup in Russia.
A three-man backline along with sitting midfielder offers plenty of protection at the back, and cover for an attacking pair of wing-backs – where England have plenty of options.
Stones and Maguire seem to be leading Southgate’s thinking, and Gomez did his chances no harm when playing well in the two England friendlies in that right of the three position.
Wilshere again gets a chance to prove himself while Dier also gets the nod over Henderson.
In attack, Sterling and Rashford seem almost certain to start in the World Cup so get a run out in their positions while Vardy stands in for Kane, as he’ll likely be first choice attacking substitute if England need a goal.
