England set to start new look XI against Ireland as star makes competitive debut with Maguire and Jack Grealish returns
ENGLAND interim boss Lee Carsley looks set to field a new look starting line-up in his first match in charge.
The Three Lions visit the Republic of Ireland on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in their first match since Gareth Southgate’s resignation as manager.
Carsley, 50, is expected to reinstate Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish in the starting XI after the two Premier League stars missed out on Euro 2024.
Manchester United ace Maguire didn’t get to travel to Germany in the summer due to an injury.
While Manchester City ace Grealish, who represented Ireland at youth level, didn’t make the final cut after failing to convince Southgate who included him in the preliminary squad.
Levi Colwill also looks set for his first competitive England cap after his debut in 2023 in an international friendly against Australia.
Chelsea ace Colwill was a mainstay in Carsley’s England team that won the European Under-21 Championship last year.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to return at right-back having been deployed as a midfielder during the Euros.
That means Maguire and Marc Guehi may team up at centre-back with Colwill at left-back.
And Grealish could start in the wing up front searching for the first goal under former Ireland international Carsley’s reign.
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England’s returning stars, though, won’t be joined by Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins.
The Premier League trio withdrew from international duty earlier this week.
However, Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Tino Livramento will all be hoping for a debut against Ireland.
Otherwise they may have to wait until Tuesday when when England host Finland in their other Nations League match at Wembley.