Gareth Southgate insists England “have to start again” as they reunite for the first time since defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
The Three Lions are in Budapest to face Hungary in a World Cup qualifier before facing Andorra at Wembley and Poland in Warsaw.
“The journey to having the chance to have another run like that in a tournament is underway, and in these qualifiers you’ve got to be at your very best,” Southgate said. “Mentally, this is a good test for us.”
As attention now turns to the road to Qatar, England have an almost entirely fit squad to choose from with only Jadon Sancho doubtful for Thursday night’s game.
“We’ve got a small knock with Jadon this morning so we’re going to assess him,” Southgate added. “Everyone else is fine.”
Patrick Bamford could make his debut from the bench after the Leeds striker received his first call-up. That came at the expense of a return for Mason Greenwood, whom Southgate insists is in his thinking.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the squad having missed the Euros through injury. The Liverpool right-back has made an impressive start to the new season and should play some part as England face a run of three games in seven days.
Otherwise, the starting XI could largely resemble the side that lost to Italy on 11 July, with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips in midfield, and Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw occupying the full-back slots.
It is an approach which has not always proven popular. Southgate’s tactics came under fire throughout the summer for perceived negativity, but Hungary’s draws with France and Germany in the group stages serve as a caution.
Predicted XI: Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Sterling, Mount, Saka; Kane
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3mWBjXi
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