Raheem Sterling's plummeting form as significant as big injuries ahead of Euro 2020

The panic hasn't set in just yet, but serious injuries to key players ahead of Euro 2020 will be a real concern to Gareth Southgate, particularly in attacking positions. Captain Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford are unlikely to see a great deal of playing time before the season comes to an end, if any at all, but it isn't just those sidelined that will be troubling the Three Lions boss.

Since the World Cup in 2018, Raheem Sterling has been the star man for England, silencing his critics - of which there remained a disproportionate amount - but it's been a difficult year for the Manchester City star so far.

The 25-year-old hasn't scored or assisted a single goal across eight appearances in 2020, and his place in the Manchester City lineup is set to come under even greater threat before long. He got the nod in Sunday's Carabao Cup final but another anonymous and frustrated showing was summed up by an act of retaliation that saw him booked in the second half.

Clearly a reaction to Frederic Guilbert slamming the ball into his body, suggesting City were taking their time over a throw in, the winger steamed into the Frenchman moments later on the touchline. It was, however, the response of an unhappy player that knows his form has taken a pretty drastic turn for the worse.

Completely overshadowed by young compatriot Phil Foden on the opposite flank, the teenager was awarded the man of the match award in the 2-1 win with a 7.95 rating. Meanwhile Sterling's score of 6.60 was his ninth in a row for the Citizens below a 7.

You can arguably search back further to the incident with Joe Gomez whilst on England duty in November to find the turning point in Sterling's season, and there's no question that altercation will not have been forgotten by anyone in the camp. The City star was quick to apologise and accept responsibility for the confrontation between the two, but he'll need to prove that he has put any indifference behind him.

However, Sterling's performances since returning to Manchester City from said international break have not been up to his usually exceptional standards.

He's scored in just three Premier League appearances since November and in that time has dropped from second in WhoScored.com's rankings (7.78 rating) to now finding himself outside the top 20 (7.25 rating). To put that into perspective even further, his league rating since the start of November of 6.90 is only enough to rank 89th of the players to have featured at least ten times in that period.

The indecision that had previously held Sterling back in front of goal many years ago appears to be creeping back and he isn't playing with the level of instinct that Pep Guardiola had seemed to get out of him. Instead he's hesitating once more in goalscoring positions, trying to create that extra yard that never materialises and ultimately spurning decent opportunities.

Given Foden's performances when he has started this season, along with those of Riyad Mahrez, there's no question that Sterling would not make City's strongest XI at present based on form. Factor in the impending return to fitness of Leroy Sane and if the Englishman doesn't return to something close to his best, his playing time could well diminish between now and the end of the season.

While many will point to the progress of the likes of Foden, Jadon Sancho and even Jack Grealish as positives ahead of the tournament this summer, the case remains that England need experienced internationals at the top of their game. When Sterling is there, he is arguably the team's greatest weapon but his form of late is so far removed from his best.

Southgate has a plethora of young and exciting talent desperate for their chance to impress but despite his willingness to give youth a chance, Sterling's return to form ahead of the summer will be just as important as Kane's return to fitness. At present, the signs aren't encouraging on either front.