JORDAN HENDERSON is set to start against Wales tomorrow – and it could be bad news for Jude Bellingham.
The Liverpool skipper will speak at the pre-match press conference with Gareth Southgate later today.
And Henderson’s experience could be vital in what will be a physical Battle of Britain clash.
Against the United States on Friday, the midfielder was a 69th minute replacement for Bellingham who was outstanding in the 6-2 win over Iran but struggled in the second match.
Henderson, 32, capped 71 times, was a calming influence against the States although it was still a dismal team performance.
Only a heavy defeat to Wales would knock England out of the group stages but Southgate will still be keen to top the group.
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The England manager is unlikely to make a raft of changes and he could still stick with Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling either side of Harry Kane.
There are strong calls for Phil Foden to start as he is enjoying a good season with Manchester City.
Yet Foden has only delivered a couple of good performances in his 19 games for England and he might have to settle for a place on the bench.
On potential changes, Southgate said: “We will see. We want to win football matches and we want to try to top the group if we can.
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“So we’ve got to make sure there is some consistency in what we do and our performances are healthy.
“There is always a balance of finding game time for players. But the priority is to win games, we have to win football matches.
“We are going to play a team who are wounded. Who are going to have very high motivation to beat us.
“We’ve got to be tactically correct and find our best level.
“We’ve got to make sure we are composed but also that we play with a real attacking vigour.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
