13 October 2023 , 07:03
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Gareth Southgate is expected to pilot a new England XI against Australia on Friday - with several players getting a rare chance.
The Three Lions take on the Aussies in a friendly at Wembley, giving Southgate the opportunity to play an experimental team. Ollie Watkins is set to replace Harry Kane up front after scoring seven goals and providing four assists for Aston Villa this season.
Bukayo Saka's injury has presented a chance to Jarrod Bowen, with the West Ham winger expected to play on the right. It's thought the left flank will be occupied by a more regular star in Jack Grealish, who impresses in that role for Manchester City.
Many critics have described James Maddison as the signing of the summer following his move from Leicester to Tottenham, with the attacking midfielder scoring two goals and providing five assists since that switch. He is set to play in the No.10 role on Friday.
Conor Gallagher has been a regular for Chelsea this season and will be rewarded with a role in central midfield alongside Jordan Henderson. The latter remains a controversial selection after quitting Liverpool for Saudi club Al-Ettifaq during the summer.
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Henderson was a vocal supporter of the LGBT+ community before moving to Saudi Arabia, where it's illegal to be gay. The standard of football in the Saudi Pro League is also questionable. It'll be interesting to see whether Henderson will be made captain.
Harry Maguire needs minutes after struggling to get into Manchester United's starting XI, but it's unclear whether he'll get the nod with Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori also in contention. Lewis Dunk should start after impressing at Brighton this term.
Ollie Watkins is back in the England squad (Getty Images)Who do you think should play for England against Australia? Let us know in the comments below!
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be given a rare start at right-back, with Southgate often preferring him in midfield, while Levi Colwill's form at Chelsea will be rewarded with the left-back spot. Several English left-backs are currently nursing injuries.
Sam Johnstone could make his first England appearance in two years between the sticks after a good start to the season with Palace. The goalkeeper struggled for minutes last term but has now cemented his spot in Roy Hodgson's starting XI.
"We have six matches before we name a squad in all likelihood for a European Championship," said Southgate on Thursday. "And so if people are going to have the chance to force their way into that squad, or that team, we need to play them.
"And also when you are keeping a squad and a spirit of a squad together people need the chance to play to really feel part of that. It is an important night for a lot of players, they will recognise that."
England predicted XI vs Australia (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Alexander-Arnold, Dunk, Maguire, Colwill; Henderson, Gallagher; Bowen, Maddison, Grealish; Watkins