Gareth Southgate reverts to his strongest starting XI as England host Italy tonight, having seen his fringe players largely fail to impress in the friendly win over Australia.
The likes of Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane all return to the side at Wembley, while John Stones starts ahead of Marc Guehi at centre-half despite recently returning from injury.
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Southgate is without a natural left-back in the squad due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, so Trippier deputises at left-back with Walker on the right of the defence.
Jordan Henderson, who was booed by fans at Wembley against the Socceroos, drops to the bench, with Kalvin Phillips getting the nod in the midfield.
The absence of Bukayo Saka, who pulled out of the squad with a hamstring injury, leaves a space up front, and Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford are the pair chosen to flank Kane.
Rashford and Foden both impressed in the friendly win over Scotland at Hampden last month and have tended to work well in tandem.
Eddie Nketiah and Fikayo Tomori miss out on a spot on the bench due to England only being able to name a 23-man matchday squad.
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Phillips, Rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Subs: Johnstone, Ramsdale, Guehi, Dunk, Colwill, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Gallagher, Maddison, Grealish, Bowen, Watkins
Time and date: 7.45pm on Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Venue: Wembley Stadium
