As expected, Gareth Southgate has named a much-changed England lineup for tonight’s friendly against Ivory Coast at Wembley.
He has, however, lost John Stones after he pulled out of the friendly win due to a problem in the warm-up. The Manchester City centre-back has since returned to his club.
“We’ll make changes,” noted Southgate ahead of the game. “We think that’s the right thing to do.
“We want to keep all of the squad involved. I think that has been a strength for us. Players who come in perform well at the level and the team march on.
“With John, he just felt a bit of tightness before the game. We’re certain it’s not too serious. It could be that he’s okay before Tuesday.”
James Ward-Prowse, Tyrone Mings, Harry Maguire and Nick Pope all sat out the Switzerland match and are among the names drafted in tonight.
England starting XI: Pope; White, Maguire, Mings, Mitchell; Ward-Prowse, Rice, Bellingham; Grealish, Watkins, Sterling.
