England XI vs Italy: Confirmed team news, expected lineup and injuries latest for Euro 2024 qualifier today
When England play Italy tonight, Areth Southgate will return to his strongest starting XI after his fringe players largely failed to impress in the friendly win over Australia.
Players such as Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are expected to return to the team at Wembley, while John Stones could start at center half despite his recent return ahead of Marc Guehi’s injury.
Southgate does not have a natural left-back in the squad due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, so Trippier is expected to deputize at left-back while Walker sits at right-back.
Jordan Henderson, who was booed by fans at Wembley against the Socceroos, is likely to drop to the bench while Kalvin Phillips provides ballast in midfield.
The absence of Bukayo Saka, out of the squad with a hamstring injury, leaves space up front, with Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford most likely to flank Kane.
Rashford and Foden both impressed in the friendly win over Scotland at Hampden last month and mostly worked well together.
Eddie Nketiah and Fikayo Tomori will miss a place on the bench as England can only name a 23-man matchday squad.
Predicted England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Phillips, Rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Injuries: Saka, Wilson, Eze, Chilwell, Shaw, Mings, James
Doubt: None
Time and date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 7:45 p.m
Venue: Wembley Stadium
