Report: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to start against Slovenia

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will reportedly start England's qualifying clash against Slovenia on Thursday evening in an attack-minded XI named by boss Gareth Southgate.

Southgate has already confirmed that Harry Kane will feature from the off, the striker having been handed the captain's armband on the back of his stellar form for club and country.

According to Sky Sports News, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been handed a place in attacking midfield despite largely being overlooked for inclusion by new club Liverpool since joining in the summer.

Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford will also start, it is claimed, with the former being used through the middle in the absence of suspended midfielder Dele Alli.

Elsewhere, Joe Hart is nursing an ankle injury but will remain in goal, behind the defensive quartet of Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, John Stones and Ryan Bertrand.

Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson will likely continue to operate in the engine room, while opposition side Slovenia are going to stick with the same XI that that earned a 4-0 win over Lithuania last month.