90min

The England lineup that should face Austria in first pre-Euro 2020 warm-up

By Harry Symeou

Gareth Southgate has some decisions to make ahead of the first warm-up friendly ahead of Euro 2020
Gareth Southgate has some decisions to make ahead of the first warm-up friendly ahead of Euro 2020 / Julian Finney/Getty Images
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England continue their preparations for Euro 2020 with a friendly warm-up game against Austria on Wednesday night.

The fans will be keeping a close eye on Gareth Southgate's team selection as they look to get an idea of how he'll set his Three Lions side up when they face Croatia in their tournament opener on 13 June.

By the time the fixture takes place, Southgate will have trimmed down his 33-man squad to 26 players. Based on who we think will be included, here is the lineup he should select to face Austria.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford was England's number one goalkeeper during the 2018 World Cup / Alex Morton/Getty Images

Jordan Pickford (GK) - Still England's number one in many people's eyes because of his suitability to the way Gareth Southgate wants his team to play. His distribution of the ball is far better than that of the others in contention.

Reece James (RB) - Fresh off of the back of a gargantuan performance in the Champions League final, James has earned a start.

Tyrone Mings (CB) - With Harry Maguire unlikely to be available due to an injury, the Aston Villa defender would bring the physicality England will be missing without the Manchester United captain.

John Stones (CB) - Stones has forced his way back into the picture at Manchester City and now he's playing regularly again, he should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Luke Shaw (LB) - Has enjoyed a fantastic season and gives the team balance both in the defensive and offensive phases of play.

2. Midfield

Mason Mount
Mason Mount could be the man to partner Declan Rice in Jordan Henderson's absence / Pool/Getty Images

Declan Rice (CM) - A specialist in the deep-lying midfield role, Rice was key in West Ham's excellent season and he's by far England's best option when it comes to providing a screen for the defence.

Mason Mount (CM) - Mount just gets better and better. Ordinarily, he should probably play further up the pitch but in the absence of Jordan Henderson his versatility and work rate make him the right man to partner Rice.

Phil Foden (AM) - An unbelievable talent, Foden continues to go from strength to strength and of all England's creative midfield options - he's proven himself to be the best.

3. Forwards

jadon sancho
England v Iceland - UEFA Nations League / Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

Jadon Sancho (RW) - A huge talent who has returned to fitness and form at the right time.

Harry Kane (ST) - First name on the team sheet. Unlucky not to have been named player of the year given his individual exploits over the course of the Premier League season, and of course the England captain.

Marcus Rashford (LW) - Capable of cutting inside effectively and has the capability to run in behind opposition defences, occupying the spaces left by the centre-forward when he drops into deeper areas.

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