90min

England lineup vs Poland - World Cup qualifier

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

The Three Lions are defending their 100% winning start to World Cup qualification
The Three Lions are defending their 100% winning start to World Cup qualification / MB Media/Getty Images
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England have enjoyed a near-perfect international break so far, easing to successive 4-0 wins over Hungary and Andorra.

However, on Wednesday night the Three Lions face their toughest test in 2022 World Cup qualification so far as they travel to Warsaw to take on Poland.

Gareth Southgate's side have a 100% winning record in qualifying after five games in total and with the entire squad in good form, he has some difficult selection decisions to make. Here is the starting XI he is most likely to go with on Wednesday.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Kyle Walker
Walker has plenty of competition for his place / Michael Regan/Getty Images

Jordan Pickford (GK) - Sam Johnstone might have been handed the gloves against lowly Andorra but the chances of anyone displacing Pickford in the long term are close to non-existent. He had a solid Euro 2020 and rarely puts a foot wrong in an England shirt.

Kyle Walker (RB) - The England right-back spot might be the most hotly contested position in international football. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kieran Trippier could all make a serious claim to be deserving of the number two shirt but as he was rested last time out, Walker will get the nod against Poland.

John Stones (CB) - Left out of the side in lieu of Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady, Stones will return against Poland. He will have his work cut out keeping Robert Lewandowski quiet, though.

Harry Maguire (CB) - Maguire remains one of the first names on the team sheet when he is fit. An accomplished defender who can also drive out from the back and is a threat from set pieces, the Manchester United captain will earn his 39th cap on Wednesday evening.

Luke Shaw (LB) - After successfully displacing Ben Chilwell as England's starting left-back last season, Shaw has begun the campaign in similarly inspired form. It will take some effort to shift him from the starting XI now.

2. Midfielders

Declan Rice
Rice enjoying an ice-cold pint on Thursday / Michael Regan/Getty Images

Declan Rice (CM) - Rice enjoyed his first ever pint during the Hungary win and he might get to enjoy another if he can help the Three Lions overcome Poland. He has already reached a quarter century of caps despite only being 22.

Kalvin Phillips (CM) - England's unlikely Player of the Year faces stiff competition from Jude Bellingham for his spot in the long term. For now though, he deserves to continue as part of Southgate's double pivot.

Mason Mount (AM) - It did not take Mount long to make an impact after coming on as a second-half substitute against Andorra. Within minutes of his introduction he had won a penalty, which Harry Kane gratefully converted. He will test himself against stronger opposition on Wednesday.

3. Forwards

Harry Kane
Kane will be looking to score for the third successive match / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Raheem Sterling (RW) - Sterling may have starred at Euro 2020 on the left but, as he proved against Hungary, he can be just as effective on the opposite side. The forward is one of Southgate's most trusted operators and he will come straight back into the side on Wednesday.

Harry Kane (ST) - The Three Lions skipper has had an interesting summer, but after netting in both of his side's September games he moved level with Michael Owen in fifth on the all-time England scorers list.

Jack Grealish (LW) - Introduced as a substitute alongside Mount and Kane against Andorra, Grealish looked lively and was involved in the build-up to the latter's penalty. A key man for England.

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