Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi, Ivan Toney and Tammy Abraham have missed out on the England squad for the Qatar World Cup.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate is set to name his official 26-man squad for the tournament later on Thursday.
But AC Milan's Tomori and Crystal Palace's Guehi - both highly rated young centre halves - will not travel, with Kyle Walker and Ben White expected to be named among the centre back options.
Roma striker Abraham, meanwhile, has paid the price for poor form with his club, with Brentford's Ivan Toney also out.