Top 3 fit and influential players who could still miss the World Cup

Selecting a 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is a difficult task for most managers. There can be various reasons for different players not being part of the final squad. If it's an injury or lack of fitness or form, it is understandable for the manager to leave players out

However, if a player is fit, influential and consistent with his club football at a particular level, he's the odds-on favourite to get selected by the manager to represent his country. Here we take a look at three players who are playing at the highest level of the game, with great experience and quality but could still miss out on a spot in their respective national teams.

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#3 Jack Wilshere

England and Arsenal central midfielder, Jack Wilshere has played consistently for Arsenal this season in all competitions so far this campaign. The Englishman cemented his place in the Gunners main eleven in the Europa league for Arsenal and has impressed but it might not be enough to make the squad.

While Wilshere got more game time he failed to produce consistent displays for his club. Gareth Southgate might opt to leave the player out. An experienced England international, the 25-year-old has made 34 appearances for his country and is a key asset when he is in the squad and has played in tournaments of this magnitude before.

The Arsenal playmaker is probably the best creative English central midfielder but despite being given all the chances to get back at his best, failure to produce on the pitch will determine results and squads under Gareth Southgate. Despite playing the majority of the season this time around, Wilshere could miss out on a spot.

#2 Marco Reus

Reus at Germany's Ascona Training Camp Day 3

Germany and Borussia Dortmund winger, Marco Reus has been subject to some of the worst timed injuries in the history of the sport. The attacking player missed out on Germany's World Cup triumph due to a knee ligament injury. While he has remained relatively fit this campaign his performances have not been up to the mark.

Reus was a sure shot pick ahead of the 2014 Rio World Cup but it isn't the case this time around, as there is massive competition for places for the defending world champions.

Low will have a selection headache in a number of positions across the field and one, in particular, will be about the Dortmund winger Reus. A quality footballer with great pace, trickery and mindset, Reus has been unlucky so far in his international career although he is a part of the 27-man provisional squad. Whether or not Reus makes it in the 23-man squad, we will have to wait and see.

#1 Karim Benzema

France v Brazil - International Friendly

Frenchman Karim Benzema will be waiting in agony for Didier Deschamps to reveal his World Cup squad on the 17 of May. The Real Madrid striker has not been in the national team since his involvement in a sex scandal that involved former teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Deschamps opted not to select the Frenchman for Euro 2016 and lost the final at home to Portugal. Eager to get back to playing for France, Benzema knows there is nothing he could do about the decision and it solely rests with the manager.

A fantastic finisher and footballer, Benzema is France's leading striker and could miss out on the spot due to past unresolved problems with the national team and manager. A host of former French players have backed the player to be selected and included in France's contingent. In great form for his club, Benzema along with a number of Madrid players are in line to lift their third consecutive Champions League trophy.