Conor Coady will start in England’s closing World Cup qualifier against San Marino tonight with Gareth Southgate handing Harry Kane a start.
Kane bagged a hat-trick in the 5-0 rout of Albania on Friday to move within nine goals of Wayne Rooney’s all-time England record and the Tottenham striker will relish the opportunity to fill his boots against European football’s whipping boys.
England need a point to be sure of qualification for Qatar 2022 (and even in the event of a stunning defeat, they would be unlikely to miss out) and Southgate is expected to ring the changes elsewhere.
Aaron Ramsdale has been rewarded for his fine Arsenal form with a first cap.
Southgate has reverted to a back four, with Coady joined in defence by full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka, with the Arsenal forward operating in a deep position.
Tyrone Mings starts at centre-half, alongside Harry Maguire.
Emile Smith-Rowe is handed his first start too.
Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw will not travel to San Marino.
Predicted England XI: Ramsdale; Alexander-Arnold, Coady, Mings, Maguire; Bellingham, Phillips, Smith Rowe; Saka, Kane, Foden.
Date: Monday, November 15, 2021. 7.45pm GMT | ITV
Venue: Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle
Referee: Rade Obrenovic (SVN)
