Phil Foden is ready to come back in from the cold against Iceland at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed he is set to give the Manchester City starlet his first start since he was sent home in disgrace from Iceland after breaking team protocols.
Foden, 20, was axed from the squad last month as punishment, came on as a substitute against Republic of Ireland last week but Southgate says the midfielder has proved he is ready.
England boss Southgate said: “Given the players in the squad and the way it is emerging and evolved over the week, it will be good to get Phil into the game.
“I am sure he has relished the chance to be back with the squad, we know he is a very exciting talent and he is a player who we have a lot of belief in and who Manchester City have a lot of belief in, so this could be a good opportunity for him to show everybody what he can do really.
“I made sure we chatted on the first day and put that behind us immediately. It was done once we had made the decision on the October squad. That was it. From then on it was always going to be a judgment on football.
“I'm sure for anybody walking back in initially that is going to feel a little bit... especially when you're young but definitely as the week has gone on he has been more relaxed.
“I gave him a bit of a hiding at two touch yesterday which he was probably a little bit upset about!
"But he's in with the group, he's relaxed and that's what's important because to be able to play his football properly that's where everybody needs to be.”
Southgate has got Harry Kane leading the attack against Iceland and even suggested that, if necessary, Foden could play with Jack Grealish just behind the front line as the England boss reiterated he is determined to carry on using the 3-4-3 formation.
Southgate added: “It's interesting that at times last year for City he played 8 and most of the time this season he has played higher.
"I think the beauty of the 3-4-3 for Phil and for Jack as well is that it gives them some freedom actually.
“They can roam a bit in that and not be quite as chained to an area of the pitch. Those two 10s can be more fluid because there is stability behind them. I think that suits both of those players in particular.
“He's always had a great impact on games. What has impressed me with Phil in the camps in which we have worked with him is that he has a real hunger to score goals.
"He has impressed us with that attribute of his game in particular.”
