“?Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana will be handed a starting berth by England coach Roy Hodgson when the Three Lions kick off their Euro 16 campaign.
The “?Daily Mail reports that the manager has been left impressed with the former Southampton man’s performances since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield, and will reward him with a place in the starting 11, ahead of Leicester City Hotshot Jamie Vardy.
It is believed that Vardy will be used as an impact substitute, with Hodgson opting for Tottenham’s Harry Kane to lead the line alone up front. Lallana will be used in a midfield tripod, along with Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney and Spurs’ starlet Dele Alli.
Lallana should feature in England’s match against Australia on Friday, and is down to start in the opening game of the Euro tournament vs Russia.
His Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson could start as well, leaving Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier to vie with Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere for the other holding midfield spot.
Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford is likely to be handed his England debut on Friday, having reported in for international duty on Monday, following United’s FA Cup win on the weekend.
The 18-year-old forward suffered a bruised knee during the final, but is expected to be ready for the upcoming match.
“I’d hope he plays, yes,” said Hodgson.
“I’m not planning an experimental team but we have only three preparation games and already quite a lot of people “? seven players “? have missed the first one.
“I have to take those things into consideration and also the juxtaposition of players who need games and others who don’t really need three matches because they have had so many games during the course of the season.”
The manager won’t rule out taking Rashford to the tournament, but he has his work cut out for him, with Kane, Vardy, Rooney and Daniel Sturridge all in the provisional squad.
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