England Starting XI vs Wales: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

England Plans Without Harry Kane for Wembley Meeting with Wales

England face Wales at Wembley tonight in a friendly that might feel anything but casual for those fighting to impress. With Harry Kane unavailable, the spotlight shifts to those hoping to seize an unexpected opening.

Kane picked up a knock while playing for Bayern Munich at the weekend, and England boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed that the captain will sit this one out. The striker did not take part in training at St George’s Park, instead working indoors with Jarell Quansah who also appears set to miss out. Tuchel remains optimistic for next week, stating that he is “convinced” Kane will return for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Latvia.

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Leadership Call and Forward Options

In Kane’s absence, the armband will be passed to Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice or John Stones. The real intrigue comes further forward where Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford and Jarrod Bowen will all feel this is an opportunity too valuable to waste. Marc Guehi addressed the media on Wednesday evening which usually signals a starting role for the Crystal Palace defender.

The squad selected is largely unchanged from the group that beat Andorra and Serbia in last month’s World Cup qualifiers, meaning the door remains firmly closed for Jude Bellingham, Adam Wharton, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish across both fixtures against Wales and Latvia.

New Faces and Injury Absences

Chelsea captain Reece James had originally been named in the squad only to withdraw as a precaution. His replacement is 20-year-old Manchester City left-back Nico O’Reilly who earns a first senior call-up. Bukayo Saka returns to the England setup but his Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke joins Cole Palmer, Tino Livramento, Levi Colwill and Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold on the sidelines.

Tottenham’s Djed Spence is the only natural right-back available although both Quansah and Ezri Konsa can fill in if needed. Further down the list of hopeful debutants are goalkeeper James Trafford and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek who would collect a first cap since 2018 if selected.

Predicted Lineup and Tactical Decisions

Tuchel must assess whether to experiment tonight or save his more radical ideas for Latvia. Wales, under Craig Bellamy, will not be passive visitors and may provide a much sterner test than the fixture label suggests.

Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Stones, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Rashford

Kick-off is set for 7:45pm BST at Wembley Stadium, London. The match will be shown live on ITV.