Gareth Southgate has played down the prospect of significant changes to his England side against Slovakia and says Luke Shaw is still not ready to start.
England head into Sunday's Euro 2024 last-16 tie here in Gelsenkirchen on the back of three enormously underwhelming performances in the group.
Southgate used the same starting XI for the 1-0 win over Serbia and 1-1 draw with Denmark, but replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold with Conor Gallagher in midfield for the limp goalless draw with Slovenia.
Kobbie Mainoo is set to come in for Gallagher against Slovakia as Southgate continues to search for the right balance in midfield, but otherwise the manager is expected to stick with the same side and resist widespread calls for changes.
Just as he did before the Slovenia game, Southgate warned that changing too much could risk England's "continuity" and believe his "starting team" is not far from clicking.
"I think a team is never quite as poor as people might think and never quite as good as people think," Southgate said. "We’re probably about five per cent off where you’d like to be.
"Therefore you’ve got to be very careful not to throw everything out the window and lose things you’re doing well and lose continuity, lose the confidence that comes with players playing together and the understanding from those moments. You have to ignore external advice and be assured in what you’re doing."
Mainoo impressed as a half-time replacement for Gallagher against Slovenia and is expected to be rewarded with a first competitive England start, while Cole Palmer and Antony Gordon also made an impact from the bench, leading to calls for Southgate to find room for the pair in his XI.
The England boss has been pleased with the impact of his substitutes in Germany and urged his squad players to be ready to make an impact.
"We’ve had some players that have come in and made a big difference from the bench," he said.
"The substitutions in all of the matches have had a big impact. We’re mindful people are pushing for places, there’s competition, we need that strength in depth. The squad are very together, they’re training well, that’s pushing the starting team that’s been in place. But also the other players have to be ready.
“Tomorrow we might need five or six changes, that’s over half the team now. It’s important that when players come on they perform as they guys did the other night."
Shaw, who is the only recognised left-back in Southgate's 26-man squad, has returned to full training after a hamstring injury but Southgate said he is unsure if the Manchester United defender can play a part against the Slovaks.
Kieran Trippier, who is fit despite sitting out two days training with the squad, is therefore expected to continue to deputise at left-back, while Phil Foden is available following a whistle-stop return to the UK for the birth of his child.
"Luke wouldn’t be available to start but we’ll have a chat with the medical team to see if he can play a part or will need a little nore training first," Southgate said.
