GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to keep faith with Harry Maguire for England’s Euro 2024 qualifier away to Ukraine tomorrow.
The centre-back’s nightmare at Manchester United is continuing as he has featured just once for Erik ten Hag this season.
Harry Maguire will again be the centre of attention in England’s defenceCredit: Getty
Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson is also tipped for a starting roleCredit: Getty
And that was as a 67th-minute sub in the 3-1 loss at Arsenal on Sunday.
Yet controversially he is set to remain as the lynchpin of England’s back four in the Polish city of Wroclaw with Southgate not helped by a string of injury problems.
The Three Lions boss is ready to partner Maguire with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, 23, as the duo both played in the 4-0 win away to Malta in June.
Southgate is without the injured John Stones for the games against Ukraine and Scotland while Tyrone Mings is crocked for the season after ACL surgery.
Conor Coady is now playing for Leicester in the Championship with Southgate unwilling to pick from that division.
While Guehi has just four caps, the alternatives are even less experienced.
Milan’s Fikayo Tomori has played just three times for England, Lewis Dunk of Brighton once and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill has yet to make his debut.
Maguire, 30, started for England at the World Cup despite rarely playing for United but he accepts he could lose his spot if he remains on the sidelines.
Yet Southgate also has other injury problems. Luke Shaw is also KO’d meaning Ben Chilwell is set to start at left-back.
Southgate was going to play Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield but a hamstring injury ruled him out.
That means Saudi-based Jordan Henderson is expected to line up in midfield along with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
With Jack Grealish also missing, Marcus Rashford and James Maddison are pushing for a wide spot.
