Gareth Southgate is ready to make changes for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo tonight.
A routine 4-0 victory over Bulgaria at Wembley on Saturday leaves England with three wins from three and sitting top of Group A.
They welcome Kosovo to St Mary's on with the visitors occupying second spot and currently on a 15-game unbeaten run.
But Southgate is ready to show sufficient trust in his squad to shuffle his pack from the weekend as the likes of Jadon Sancho and Trent Alexander-Arnold push for starts.
Predicted lineup
England XI: Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Maguire, Chilwell, Rice, Winks, Mount, Sancho, Kane, Sterling
Three key issues tonight
Right-back spot up for grabs
It is increasingly difficult to second guess Southgate’s thinking at right-back following Kyle Walker’s omission from the squad and the decision to start Kieran Trippier ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold against Bulgaria. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who withdrew from the initial squad, is also in Southgate’s thoughts, leaving the manager with four impressive options but just seven matches until Euro 2020. Alexander-Arnold is expected to get the nod tonight and there is no room for error.
Kane eyeing next milestone
Harry Kane is not shy about targeting records and the England captain immediately turned his attentions to reaching 30 international goals after Saturday’s hat-trick took him past Sir Geoff Hurst and onto 25. After a summer off, Kane looks sharper than he has since before the World Cup and, while tonight’s opponents will surely provide a sterner test than Bulgaria, it remains the type of game in which the 26-year-old will be looking to fill his boots if he is to surpass Wayne Rooney’s all-time scoring record of 53.
Rashford has point to prove
Marcus Rashford remains the most vulnerable member of England’s front free and he has further cause to impress tonight after Southgate challenged him to improve. The England manager believes Rashford needs to “use his strengths” and “threaten teams in behind more”, which the Manchester United forward did to good effect to win England’s first penalty against Bulgaria. With Jadon Sancho breathing down his neck and Dele Alli to return, Rashford would do well to heed Southgate’s advice, starting tonight.
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