Declan Rice has been named to start in England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta tonight.
Gareth Southgate has picked the West Ham skipper alongside Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson in midfield.
Kieran Trippier will start, while the absence of John Stones has opened the door for Marc Guehi to play at centre-half and Luke Shaw is the only recognised left-back in the squad.
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The England manager has sprung a surprise by pushing Alexander-Arnold into midfield with Rice chosen despite his recent exploits in the Europa Conference League final.
With Jack Grealish and Phil Foden not featuring following Manchester City’s Champions League final, Southgate has opted for James Maddison and Bukayo Saka in attack either side of Harry Kane - with Marcus Rashford not starting due to a hip knock.
Eberechi Eze will be hoping for a debut but is more likely to start on the bench.
England XI: Pickford; Trippier, Guehi, Maguire, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Rice; Saka, Kane, Maddison.
Subs: Walker, Ramsdale, Stones, Phillips, Grealish, Mings, Rashford, Gallagher, Foden, Eze, Johnstone, Wilson.
