MANCHESTER UNITED star Kobbie Mainoo will make his first Euros start in England’s last-16 tie with Slovakia tomorrow.
Mainoo, 19, will be been rewarded by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate for his impressive showing off the bench in the goalless draw against Slovenia.
Conor Gallagher, who Mainoo replaced at half-time on Tuesday, drops to the bench in the only change from England’s final Group C match.
Meanwhile, Kieran Trippier has been passed fit to start in Gelsenkirchen.
The Newcastle right-back, 33, has been nursing a calf injury this week but trained with the rest of the 26-man squad today and is ready to start again.
With Luke Shaw, who has not played since February, lacking match sharpness, Ezri Konsa had been on standby.
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But the versatile Aston Villa defender will have to wait for the time being at least to make his Euros bow.
Southgate has also resisted temptation to bring Cole Palmer into the starting XI despite his promising cameo off the bench against Slovenia.
With Bukayo Saka expected to make his fourth start at the tournament.
PFA Player of the Year Phil Foden will keep his place on the left despite returning home earlier this week for the birth of his third child.
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Southgate will therefore stick with the same front-four for the fourth game running with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in line to start once again.
Regulars Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker and John Stones will also start, along with Marc Guehi, arguably England’s best performer so far at the Euros.
It was harsh to hook Gallagher at half-time… but Mainoo showed he’s the answer, says Jack Wilshere
KOBBIE MAINOO was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield, writes Jack Wilshere.
I think he showed why in the second half against Slovenia.
But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure.
He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.
Read Jack Wilshere’s post-match verdict in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.
Anthony Gordon remains an option on the bench despite his bike incident earlier this week.
The Newcastle winger escaped serious injury after crashing an electric bike during a recovery session on Wednesday.
Gordon was left with a huge graze on his chin and a number of nasty cuts all over is hands and arms.
But the gashes are superficial, meaning he will still be an option to Southgate if called upon.
Fans will be hoping England will be able to play some more exciting football to get the better of Slovakia tomorrow.
The Three Lions have left fans wanting more with their uninspiring performances so far at Euro 2024.
However, they have got the job done and finished top of Group C – giving them a great chance at going deep in the tournament.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
