5 key talking points ahead of England’s friendly clash with Belgium
England face Belgium on Tuesday night in their final friendly before Gareth Southgate names his 23-man squad for Euro 2024.
With mounting injuries and defeat to Brazil on Saturday, Southgate has plenty to consider heading into the clash with the Red Devils.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the key talking points ahead of the game.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed that @_DeclanRice will captain the #ThreeLions for the first time tomorrow night!
He'll also win his 50th international cap pic.twitter.com/j0Qxnt5Flz
— England (@England) March 25, 2024
Tuesday’s game could be a big one for several players still aiming to stake their claim for a spot on the plane to Germany this summer.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is already assured of his seat but the fixture is still one he will always remember as he collects a 50th cap, with Southgate also confirming the player would captain England for the first time.
Rice has labelled it as a “pinch me” moment as his memorable season continues to go from strength to strength.
Ivan Toney during England training
With captain and all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane returning to Bayern Munich for treatment on an ankle injury, the race to be his back-up at the European Championship hots up.
Kane sat out the defeat to Brazil, where Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins played the whole game as the striker in Southgate’s set-up.
Ivan Toney, back from an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association betting rules, will now be hoping he gets a similar chance to impress with only one of the two likely to get the nod this summer.
All 23 #ThreeLions players are out at training this morning ahead of tomorrow's @alzheimerssoc International with Belgium @_DeclanRice will join Gareth Southgate for
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
