Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson are both set to start for England against Wales on Tuesday night, with Phil Foden in contention too as Gareth Southgate tells Jude Bellingham and Co they’ve been rotated and not dropped
Gareth Southgate is considering tinkering with his World Cup starting XI with Jordan Henderson poised for a recall and Kyle Walker in line for his first start of the tournament against Wales.
Having selected an unchanged team and system against USA following the 6-2 win over Iran, national team boss Southgate is ready to make his first set of changes of the tournament for the clash against Rob Page’s side.
Speaking on Monday night, the England boss said: ‘We have to balance freshness with stability and that’s always a decision you’re making when picking a team.’
Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson are set to start for the first time in this year’s World Cup
Vice captain Henderson could come into the team ahead of Jude Bellingham, who has started the opening two matches here in Qatar.
Behind the scenes, Southgate has made clear to his players that any omissions from the starting XI should be viewed as rotation rather than anything more concrete.
The England staff have told their players that they intend to use the depths of the squad to combat the quick turnaround in matches and the stifling conditions here in Qatar.
Southgate does not want Jude Bellingham and Co to be downhearted if they don’t start
Southgate does not want his players to be downhearted if they are not named in the starting XI or lose their place and has made this point to his players.
The big question for the England manager is whether to hand Phil Foden his first start of the tournament amid a growing clamour for the Manchester City star to be unleashed.
While captain Harry Kane is expected to start, Southgate is considering refreshing his forward line with Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount’s places under scrutiny.
There is also significant hope that Walker can start in the game. The right-back and his Manchester City colleague Kalvin Phillips – who would in usual circumstances be key players during the tournament – are yet to play a single minute after recovering from surgeries.
Walker’s return to fitness is particularly crucial with Southgate, having started the World Cup with a 4-3-3, ready to switch to a back-five during the tournament.
It remains to be seen whether Phil Foden will receive his first start in Qatar on Tuesday night