England manager Roy Hodgson is expected to make plenty of changes for Monday’s final Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania, with top spot in Group E having long been secured.
As The Guardian reports, the Three Lions boss has left Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Michael Carrick, James Milner and Gary Cahill behind and made Everton’s Phil Jagielka his stand-in captain.
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dele Alli, who made his senior international bow with a late cameo in Friday’s 2-0 win over Estonia at Wembley, could be one of several players to benefit from the rotation.
The 19-year-old has only been out of League One a matter of months, but has already impressed with his skill and composure, both evident in assisting Son-Heung-Min in Europa League action for Spurs.
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Alli may complete a remarkable 12-month journey with a full England debut in Vilnius. But who else will Hodgson start as he aims to balance giving players opportunities, and ensuring that England become just the sixth team in history to go through a Euros qualifying campaign with a 100% record?
Here is fanatix’s predicted XI as England try to make it a perfect 10 from 10…
GK: Jack Butland
Over three years after his maiden senior England call-up, the 22-year-old will start a competitive international game for the first time. He certainly deserves a go based on his club form for Stoke City.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
Kyle Walker has been called into the squad, but has been out of the England picture for a while. Clyne appears to be Hodgson’s first-choice right-back for the Euros and may be afforded more experience.
CB: Phil Jagielka
Hodgson has confirmed that the Everton captain will skipper his country for the first time, on his 37th international appearance. Strange considering that he may not be a certainty for France next summer.
CB: Phil Jones
The 23-year-old has yet to start a game for Manchester United this season because of injury, as the Daily Express reports. But Hodgson is a big fan of his versatility and will want to get him involved.
LB: Kieran Gibbs
There is great competition for places at left-back, even in the absence of Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw. Gibbs is currently out of the Arsenal team and therefore must use this platform to impress.
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