GARETH SOUTHGATE faces a number of huge decisions when naming his England team to face Czech Republic.
Tuesday’s 8pm clash at Wembley will see both sides qualify for the last-16 with a draw.
But the Three Lions’ lacklustre display against Scotland led to boos from the home faithful – a scenario Southgate will be desperate to avoid again.
The first decision taken by the 50-year-old manager has been to start Harry Kane despite the striker’s poor form.
The England captain was subbed off in both Group D matches so far, and has scored just twice for his country since November 2019.
In explaining the decision, Southgate told reporters: “He’s our most important player, there’s no doubt about that.
“You’ve only got to look at his goalscoring record with us to see his importance to the team.
“He is fundamental, not only with the goals he scores but the build-up play and everything else he brings.
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“I know there will be a lot of questions being asked about him at the moment but he’s been through that a hundred times before.
“I’ve been in this role and answered these questions before and he’s come up with the goals, and I expect that to be the same moving forward.”
Elsewhere on the pitch, Southgate could continue to keep faith with the set-up he has preferred in the opening matches of the tournament.
Reece James and Luke Shaw were the only players introduced for the draw with Scotland but could find themselves back on the bench.
Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho are also pushing for starts having hardly featured, although Southgate has sought to calm expectations of the pair.
One option could be to switch England to a five-man defence, allowing Harry Maguire to return after injury.
Southgate has been told to drop Phil Foden by Three Lions legend Wayne Rooney, who called for Grealish and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be handed a chance to impress.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
