John Stones set to be fit as Trent Alexander-Arnold eyes midfield berth

Two major selection calls are hanging over Gareth Southgate and England as they prepare to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia tonight.

For the first time during his reign, Southgate heads into a major tournament without Harry Maguire in his squad, with the Manchester United defender absent because of a calf injury.

Marc Guehi is favourite to partner John Stones, who has shaken off ankle and sickness problems to be fit for the game in Gelsenkirchen, with Ezri Konsa and Lewis Dunk the other centre-back options.

In midfield, meanwhile, Southgate appears likely to continue his experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold as the preferred partner to Declan Rice.

The experience of Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips is missing from this squad and Alexander-Arnold is in line to get the nod ahead of Conor Gallagher, Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo.

Kieran Trippier, meanwhile, will be tasked with filling in at left-back but Luke Shaw has made very good progress this week and England could even choose to utilise him off the bench on Sunday.

Jude Bellingham will return to the side having sat out the warm-up friendlies against Iceland and Bosnia & Herzegovina while resting after Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph.

Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane

Time and date: 8pm BST on Sunday June 16, 2024

Venue: Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen

TV channel: BBC One