The Lee Carsley England era commences on Saturday, when the Three Lions take on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in their opening 2024-25 UEFA Nations League showdown.
Greece and Finland are also on the hunt for promotion from League B Group 2, and England are without 12 players from their Euro 2024 squad, including the injured Jude Bellingham and the retired Kieran Trippier.
Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Luke Shaw and Aaron Ramsdale are also missing for one reason or another, making room for new blood as Carsley puts four prospective debutants through their paces.
Indeed, all of Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Tino Livramento are vying for their first caps on Saturday, but none of the quartet should be seen from the first whistle in Dublin.
The latter is certainly a viable option at full-back, but Trent Alexander-Arnold and Levi Colwill may hold the fort for now, as John Stones and Harry Maguire form Jordan Pickford‘s central barrier.
As Conor Gallagher has only started once for Atletico Madrid following the summer transfer saga, Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo might be preferred in the engine room, as Eberechi Eze pips Gibbs-White to the number 10 slot.
Bukayo Saka and skipper Harry Kane – set to win his 99th England cap – are attacking shoo-ins, and Anthony Gordon has likely done enough to warrant a start over Jack Grealish on the left flank.
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Colwill; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Eze, Gordon; Kane
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