England team news: Expected line-up vs Czech Republic

England prepare to kick-off their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against the Czech Republic on Friday amid something of an injury crisis.

Five players have been forced to withdraw from the squad through injury, leaving coach Gareth Southgate with limited options to choose from – particularly in defence.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, Luke Shaw and Fabian Delph, who is a midfielder but can cover at left-back, have all been ruled out, meaning either Michael Keane or James Tarkowski is likely to start alongside Harry Maguire at centre-back. Ben Chilwell has started the last four England games at left-back and can therefore be expected to continue in that role.

Back five a short-term fix?

One decision Southgate will have to make is whether he sticks to the back four which proved so successful in the Nations League at the end of last year or reverts to the back five he used at the World Cup. The latter would enable both Kieran Trippier (wing-back) and Kyle Walker (centre-back), two of England’s more experienced defenders, to play at the same time.

Read more: England vs Czech Republic: Kick-off time, TV channel, team news, and predictions

Alternatively he could go for a back four and play a defensive-minded midfielder to play just in front.

Eric Dier has been Southgate’s favoured name in that position in recent months but with his recent injury problems and the emergence of Declan Rice, the West Ham man could well be given the nod. The likes of Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Dele Alli and late call-up James Ward-Prowse would then be those left fighting for the remaining midfield slot.

Sancho to start?

Nevertheless, it seems unlikely Southgate would opt to go back to the back-five and is likely to stick with the more attacking formation – meaning he can pick two central midfielders to line up alongside young Rice.

While Barkley has been a favoured man in recent internationals, he has not been in the best form for Chelsea, which could see Southgate instead opt for the controlling presence of Henderson and added goal threat of Alli.

Further forward, Marcus Rashford has missed training sessions this week and is understood to be a big doubt for the match. That could open the door for one of Jadon Sancho or Callum Hudson-Odoi to start in the front three alongside Raheem Sterling and captain Harry Kane.

Here’s how we think England might line-up: