How England could line up against Malta

England head coach Gareth Southgate has already lost five players to injury ahead of Friday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group C showdown with Malta at Wembley.

The Three Lions have already sealed a first-placed finish in the section to qualify for next year's championships, but they are still seeking maximum points to enter Pot 1 for the group-stage draw.

Ahead of fixtures with Malta and North Macedonia, all of Jude Bellingham, James Maddison, Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill and Callum Wilson have dropped out, while Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips are late arrivals due to personal reasons.

While there is still plenty at stake, next week's trip to North Macedonia will almost certainly prove a trickier test for England, and Southgate could therefore offer some fringe names the chance to play their way into his 2024 squad here.

Sam Johnstone could fend off Aaron Ramsdale for a start in goal, but Ezri Konsa might be kept waiting for his debut as Harry Maguire and Marc Guehi pair up in the heart of defence, and the same can be said for Rico Lewis as Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier bomb down the flanks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was listed as a midfielder yet again in the squad selection, and the Liverpool man is in line to link up with ex-teammate Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher in the engine room, with Declan Rice potentially enjoying a well-earned rest.

Bukayo Saka should not be risked from the off either given his recent knocks, so the in-form Jarrod Bowen is a contender to join Phil Foden and Harry Kane in the final third, although the uncapped Cole Palmer is a versatile alternative.

England possible starting lineup: Johnstone; Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Gallagher; Bowen, Kane, Foden