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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jake Polden

England starting XI for Croatia Euro 2020 clash as Gareth Southgate makes bold calls

Gareth Southgate has announced his first England starting XI for Sunday's Euro 2020 opener with Croatia - and it's safe to say the Three Lions boss has made some bold calls.

Southgate has stuck with tried and tested Jordan Pickford between the sticks but has named Kieran Trippier as a surprise left-back, with Kyle Walker playing on the right.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is still recovering from an injury, and Southgate has selected Tyrone Mings and John Stones as his centre-back pairing.

In midfield, Southgate has named two defensive players in Leed's enforcer Kalvin Phillips and West Ham's Declan Rice.

Gareth Southgate has announced his first England starting XI (Getty Images)

In front of them stands Chelsea's golden boy Mason Mount with Raheem Sterling on one side and Phil Foden on the other. It's a very strong attacking midfield, but there is no place for Jack Grealish.

Harry Kane has been named as the lone striker following a sensational season in which he won the Premier League's Golden Boot with Tottenham.

Southgate was set to hold a press conference ahead of England's opener on Saturday but this was called off after Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark's defeat by Finland.

The Inter Milan midfielder needed life-saving treatment from Denmark's medical staff on the pitch before he was removed on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

A message on the virtual link for the England press conference read: "In light of the awful events unfolding in Copenhagen, the FA have asked permission not to do their press conference scheduled at 19.30 CET.

"So the ENG press conference is cancelled. Thank you for your understanding."

The Football Association then said in a statement: "Our thoughts this evening are with Christian Eriksen and his family, and all connected with the Danish Football Union."

The Danish FA released a statement this Sunday morning saying Eriksen is stable and has been in contact with his Denmark teammates but will remain in hospital for further assessment.

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