Raheem Sterling faces a fight to end his England exile in time for Euro 2024.
Sterling has again been left out of the England squad and Gareth Southgate has cast doubt over his hopes of an international recall.
The Chelsea forward has not been called up since the World Cup in Qatar and Southgate has warned he is unlikely to make major changes to his squad between now and next summer.
Sterling was overlooked despite injuries to Eberechi Eze and Callum Wilson opening up space in the squad for this month's games against Australia and Italy.
Southgate instead turned to West Ham's Jarrod Bowen and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins for forward slots.
The England manager has previously said the door was still open for Sterling but the 82-cap player is running out of time to win back his place for Euro 2024.
Southgate said: "We've got brilliant competition for places in several areas of the pitch so, yeah, there is a battle now, without a doubt.
"For a long period of time Raheem was the one that was scoring goals for us and his club. We now have goals from [Bukayo] Saka, [Phil] Foden, [Marcus] Rashford.
"Rashford has always been a scorer with us. [Jack] Grealish is a different type of wide player, now we're getting goals form Jude [Bellingham]. We're not just reliant on Harry Kane. For a long time it was Harry and Raheem that were knocking up the goals. But there's a different competition in place.
"With Jarrod Bowen, there's an opportunity with the Australia game to have a look at somebody we don't know as much about. He's been with us, but not as much as Raheem.
"We know what Raheem is capable of and Bowen has got five goals in seven games, so in terms of the opportunity opened up with Eze and Wilson out, Watkins and Bowen are both in a hot streak of form. That's the thinking."
Sterling began the season well but he has not scored in five games and started on the bench against Fulham on Monday because he was struggling with a virus. The 28-year-old is fit to start at Burnley on Saturday, when Chelsea will bid to build on their win at Craven Cottage going into the international break.
Southgate wants continuity in his squad going into Euro 2024, suggesting Sterling faces an uphill battle to force his way back into contention.
"It is how you build a togetherness," said Southgate yesterday. "One of the great strengths of this group is that togetherness. That team. Ollie got a great hat-trick last week but you have to be really careful on picking a squad on one or two performances.
“We have obviously seen Ollie over a longer period of time. When Callum was out, that was an even easier decision. We try to make the best possible decisions for the right options, the right balance, the right personalities in the group but always the team.
"It is always about the team. It has to be about the team. Consistency allows that. You live experiences together and going to Poland and playing Ukraine in that environment.
"Going to Hampden and facing that environment like we did. There is a bond that is built for the whole group and that is what comes from continuity."
