Interim England manager Lee Carsley is set to stamp his authority on the squad by making a series of bold team selection calls this weekend.
The Three Lions are set to face the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday in the Nations League, and a victory would get the ball rolling in Carsley’s bid to become the full-time England boss.
The 50-year-old is firmly in the running to succeed Gareth Southgate on a permanent basis, with Graham Potter and Eddie Howe also linked with the role. A stint as interim manager will allow the under-21 head coach to prove his worth.
Carsley made several wholesale changes when naming his squad for the imminent international break, and those bold calls are showing no signs of slowing down over the coming days.
According to The Athletic, Carsley is set to name Jack Grealish in his starting eleven for his first game as interim head coach. The Manchester City forward was omitted from England’s Euro 2024 squad but has since been recalled to the group.
With Cole Palmer and Phil Foden both withdrawing from international duty earlier this week, Grealish has been offered the ideal opportunity to prove himself against the nation whom he represented at youth level.
Carsley is also set to shake up his defensive ranks, with Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to be named in right-back, having previously been viewed as a midfielder by Southgate at the Euros. He had regularly played second fiddle to Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier at right-back under Southgate.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is also set to start against Ireland, in what will be his first competitive cap for England. The 21-year-old has played at left-back for the Blues, though it is unclear whether he will form part or a back-three on Saturday or be deployed as a makeshift left-back.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is set to retain his spot in central defence for the Three Lions, though he won’t be joined by usual partner John Stones.
Manchester United’s Harry Maguire is set to return to England’s backline, having been forced to withdraw from the Euros due to an injury which would have ruled him out of action for a significant period of the competition.
England’s midfield is yet to be leaked at this stage, though debutants Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White will both be hoping that they are in the frame to earn their first caps on the international stage.
Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo are likelier starters, however, while Anthony Gordon could get a start despite the Newcastle man struggling for minutes under Southgate in the summer.