10 dark horses for England's 2018 World Cup squad 

#4 Alfie Mawson (Swansea City)

Alfie Mawson

When England boss Gareth Southgate tested the 3-4-3, or 3-4-2-1, however, you interpret it, at Lithuania, the discussion arose of which English defenders could play as part of a back three. Mawson certainly fits into this category.

Mawson was not part of the three-man defence that Southgate went with in Vilnius; he was not even in the squad and, while he may find it difficult to shift the likes of Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, John Stones and Michael Keane, his knowledge of the three-at-the-back system may give him an advantage over some.

Swansea's defensive approach away from home also sees Paul Clement attempt to close the hosts down by going with a five-man defence, which is helping Mawson adapt to being under the cosh, a scenario England will likely find themselves in. This was best demonstrated in the terrific 0-0 draw Swansea managed at Wembley against Tottenham.

It has been a rapid rise for Mawson, who is only in his second Premier League season. Only four years ago, he was playing Conference South football with Maidstone on loan and then Conference Premier football with another pair of loans, this time at Welling and Luton.

His ever-increasing projection continued this summer when he scored England's first goal at the Under-21 Euros, which set them on their way to a 2-1 win over Slovakia in their second group stage match.

Mawson will not be planning on stopping his career improvement anytime soon and it would not be a surprise to see him at a different international summer tournament next summer - the senior World Cup.