KALVIN PHILLIPS is set for his England debut in Tuesday night’s Nations League clash with Denmark in Copenhagen after shamed starlets Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden were sent home.
Leeds midfielder Phillips, 24, was a surprise inclusion in the squad after never playing in the Premier League but could now play in the centre alongside Declan Rice.
Conor Coady and Kalvin Phillips are tipped for their England debuts
What we know so far:
Three Lions’ boss Gareth Southgate was already planning on making changes from Saturday’s 1-0 in Iceland even before weekend debutants Greenwood and Foden breached coronavirus guidelines by inviting two girls to their hotel.
Both have apologised but Southgate said: “Two guys have broken the covid guidelines in terms of our secure bubble and so we had to decide very quickly they could not have any interaction with the team and could not travel to training.
“Given the procedures we have to follow they will have to travel back separately.”
Wolves skipper Conor Coady, 27, is poised for his first England game – as part of a three-man central defence alongside Eric Dier and Joe Gomez.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will start as right wing-back, with Southgate facing a choice down the left between Kieran Trippier and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is also hoping for a first run-out.
Phil Foden and Marcus Greenwood might not be smiling quite so much after England sent them home for breaching Covid-19 guidelines Credit: PA:Press Association
Kalvin Phillips messes around with Mason Mount in England training as Raheem Sterling and Conor Coady look onCredit: Reuters
The Three Lions could, though, stick with the front three of Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling.
In fact, Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand is too preoccupied with Sterling and Sancho to get excited about the controversy over Manchester City midfielder Foden and United striker Mason Greenwood.
Hjulmand said: “They will have another couple of very good players on the pitch, so it doesn’t change too much.
“We are up against a very strong English team with very skilful young players and also Sterling and Sancho on the wing.
“They are very offensively-minded and like to take control of matches.
“But that leaves some space for us as well.”
Danish midfielder Thomas Delaney plays with Sancho at Borussia Dortmund.
He said: “I see him as one of the biggest talents in Europe.”
Giggling girls ask how England stars Greenwood and Foden will sneak them into Iceland hotel
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
