Ray Parlour believes Gareth Southgate should name an unchanged team against the United States after Harry Kane was passed fit to play.
Skipper Kane, 29, suffered an ankle injury in the 6-2 win against Iran on Monday, but Southgate has confirmed he will be fit for Friday's game at the Al Bayt Stadium. Victory for the Three Lions would secure their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar.
Southgate ditched his preferred back-five system for a more attacking style against Iran. That helped England announce themselves as contenders - and Parlour believes Southgate should be just as positive against the United States.
"I’m not going to get too carried away because it’s Iran, but you’ve still got to go out and perform," Parlour, speaking on behalf of 888sport, tells Mirror Football.
"I’m pleased we went with a back four. I thought the players he kept in the team did well - [Raheem] Sterling and obviously Harry Maguire [and his involvement] in the second goal. We looked pretty comfortable. I think he might stick with the same team."
Maguire was substituted during the second half of the Iran win after feeling sick but should be fit to face the United States, while James Maddison (knee) and Kyle Walker (groin) are still battling injuries.
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Southgate is not known for playing an attacking style and Parlour was "excited" by what he saw on Monday. He notes, "Every time they got it wide, they were running at players. [Bukayo] Saka, he looked dangerous every time he got it - he wanted to take the player on - which you want to see."
Parlour adds, "You’ve got to go into the game with confidence. We’ve got some really good players in England - good attacking players. Look at the bench they had against Iran - [Marcus] Rashford coming on, [Jack] Grealish, [Phil] Foden - excellent players. That just shows you the strength in depth that Gareth has got going forward.
"I really hope he continues with the four at the back if I’m being honest. He might change it up against a tougher opposition but during the group stages, keep with the four at the back and more of less play the same sort of team."
England’s victory has left many supporters dreaming of a first men’s major international honour in 56 years, yet Parlour is urging fans not to get carried away. The Arsenal legend is concerned Southgate’s side may struggle to overcome France in the quarter-finals. England will face the defending champions if both teams win their groups and last-16 ties.
Parlour continues, "But is it coming home? You need a bit of luck along the way. The most important thing is getting out of the group. They’re big favourites to get out of the group now, and then that last-16 tie will be interesting to see who they get. Whether it’s going to be Ecuador or Senegal - the Netherlands obviously got the win last night [too, against Senegal].
"I’m really hoping they can get to at least the semi-finals. The quarter-finals could be difficult because we could potentially get France, although they’ve got no [Karim] Benzema [due to injury] - that was a big loss to them.
"We’ve just seen Argentina, who are second-favourites to win it, [lose to Saudi Arabia]. My God, England were so much better than Argentina. That gives us all a bit of a lift, really, because if they’re the second-favourites, then England should worry about nothing going forward."
Ray Parlour was speaking on behalf of 888sport. Head to 888sport for the latest World Cup odds.
