Kevin Kilbane: This week on Race for the Roster, Marcelo Flores chooses Canada. How will this impact Jesse Marsch’s squad?

Welcome to FanDuel Race for the Roster, where Steven Caldwell has the weekly task of trying to predict Canada’s 26 for 26, including the starting 11 for the opening game. Let’s start by looking at the current projection, the 26 for 26 that Steven has representing Canada this summer. It was a busy week for lots of Canadians making the news, so let’s see if this will impact Stevie’s 11.

Here are this week’s headlines:

Marcelo Flores has committed to playing for Canada. The attacking midfielder previously represented Mexico, but he’s still eligible for a one-time switch under current FIFA regulations. This process is now underway, and the hope is that Flores will be available for Canada during the next international window in March.

Cyle Larin’s disappointing loan spell at Feyenoord is reportedly coming to an end. Larin will join a new club as he looks to secure minutes ahead of this summer’s tournament.

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Alphonso Davies made his first start for Bayern Munich in 10 months. Davies played 61 minutes in a surprising 2-1 loss to Augsburg. His five previous appearances since returning from an ACL injury were as a substitute.

And Liam Millar scored his second goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Daniel Jeverson’s Preston North End. Millar has made five consecutive starts for Hull since returning from injury.

So Stevie, Marcelo Flores has finally decided to choose to play for Canada. How do you think he’s going to fit into Jesse Marsch’s squad?

Caldwell: Well, a bit of a saga this one, Kev, isn’t it? And it’s just a shame that it wasn’t sorted for that January game, which I think would have helped him settle in. But I do think that the fact that he is switching suggests that he’s absolutely going to be in that squad. It’s probably a bit of a promise made by Jesse Marsch and to convince him to make the switch.

So where does he fit? He normally plays off the left, but as you know, there’s a lot of competition there. We think Davies might play higher up. You’ve got Shaffelberg, you’ve even got Ali Ahmed, who predominantly plays off that area. So I think he might be pushed into more of a central position, more as a retreated second striker, let’s call it, a number 10, as we would say, at times maybe as a replacement for Jonathan David or indeed as a partner where he’s the one who is a little deeper, who can come into midfield and create more numbers in that area of the pitch.

So we’ll keep an eye on it because he does like to flit off the left, but I think he does have the attributes to play in that more central position.

Kilbane: I think if that’s the case, it suggests that there might have to be that change of system that we spoke about for Jesse Marsch, where Jonathan David may be pushed forward. It’s an interesting one. Does he walk into the team? Unlikely, but certainly part of that squad, isn’t it?

Yes, Steve, another change that you’ve made is Liam Millar coming in now. So, how has this affected you? Is his form currently what’s changed that mindset of yours?

Caldwell: Form and consistency and the fact that he’s fit. The only reason that I had him out, Kev, was because of the injuries that have came for Liam Millar in recent times. He’s been unfortunate in that regard. So him proving his fitness was a big thing.

And he is in good form. He’s playing well for Hull. It’s a good standard of championship football in England. So I’ve got him back in there. I think Liam Millar’s a smart player who can play in different positions and can provide that pressure, that press that Jesse Marsch likes. So I think he’s a player that will absolutely be in the 26-man squad, assuming he keeps up the form and, of course, the fitness.

Kilbane: And you spoke previously about that left side being stacked. As you say, change of position for him, he can play on the right-hand side, so it kind of suits with having that flexibility.

Here are the players that Stevie had on the bubble:

He previously had Daniel Jebbison and Junior Hoilett, Cyle Larin, Sam Adekugbe and Owen Goodman in the squad. He has made some changes, though. Joel Waterman is still in the squad, but he is now on the bubble. Liam Miller is added to the squad, while Junior Hoillet and Adekugbe are out.

Jacen Russell-Rowe is now in the hunt ahead of Jayden Nelson.

There will be plenty of Canadians involved in the UEFA Champions League this week:

Alphonso Davies and Bayern visit PSVTani Oluwaseyi and Tajon Buchanan play Bayer LeverkusenJonathan David will look to stay in hot form against MonacoRace for the Roster: Forwards

STARTERS: Jonathan David (Juventus) and Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal)

BENCH: Promise David (Union SG), Daniel Jebbison (Preston North End, on loan from Bournemouth) and Cyle Larin (Feyenoord, on loan from Mallorca)

Midfield and Defenders

STARTING MIDFIELDERS: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo, on loan from Marseille), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto) and Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal)

BENCH: Jacob Shaffelburg (Los Angeles)INJ, David “Junior” Hoilett (Hibernian), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC) and Ali Ahmed (Norwich City)

STARTING DEFENDERS: Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Derek Cornelius (Rangers, on loan from Marseille), Moise Bombito (Nice) INJ and Alistair Johnston (Celtic) INJ

BENCH: Sam Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps) INJ, Luc de Fougerolles (Dender, on loan from Fulham), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough)INJ, and Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split)

Goalkeeper

STARTER: Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami)

BENCH: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City) and Owen Goodman (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Crystal Palace)