Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how England could line up for Tuesday’s international friendly with Belgium.
England head coach Gareth Southgate has seen three players withdraw from the squad ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly with Belgium at Wembley.
Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker sustained an apparent hamstring issue in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Brazil and pulled out on Sunday night, also plunging his participation into next weekend’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal into doubt.
Harry Maguire and Sam Johnstone will play no part in the midweek friendly owing to their own problems – and nor will ankle victim Harry Kane – and Sunday’s trio of withdrawals opened up spots for Rico Lewis and James Trafford to earn promotion to the senior team.
Cole Palmer and Jordan Henderson will also require assessment after failing to make the cut on Saturday, where Ollie Watkins got the nod up front in Kane’s absence but failed to justify his selection.
As a result, Ivan Toney could oust his Aston Villa counterpart to lead the line on Tuesday, where Jarrod Bowen and Marcus Rashford are competent options to replace Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon out wide as well.
However, Jude Bellingham – the victim of some rough treatment from Brazil on Saturday – should reprise his advanced role, while Declan Rice is not likely to be in any danger of losing his spot in the middle either, as he prepares to captain the side on his 50th appearance.
There is scope for one change in midfield, though, as debutant Kobbie Mainoo – who caught the eye with one particularly slick turn on Saturday – is a candidate to demote Conor Gallagher down to the bench.
Full-backs alterations could also see Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez step in for the stricken Walker and the ineffective Ben Chilwell, while a first cap likely awaits Jarrad Branthwaite in place of Maguire.
The current Everton man ought to link up with a former Toffee in John Stones, but Trafford should be kept waiting for his first senior cap as Jordan Pickford guards the sticks.
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Branthwaite, Gomez; Mainoo, Rice; Bowen, Bellingham, Rashford; Toney
> Click here to see how Belgium could line up for this match
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