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England XI vs USA could feature Newcastle's Wilson with Kane an injury doubt

talksport.com, 23 November 2022, 12:00
Callum Wilson could lead the line for England against USA on Friday with Harry Kane an injury doubt for the World Cup group stage clash.

The Three Lions skipper suffered an ankle knock following a strong tackle from Morteza Pouraliganji in Monday's 6-2 win against Iran.

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Kane was spotted limping while having his ankle strapped up after the emphatic victory to spark fears he could miss the USA match.

Gareth Southgate attempted to play down any concern in the immediate aftermath of the Iran clash as he insisted that the Tottenham striker is 'fine'.

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But in a worry for England, Kane is now set to have a scan on his right ankle to determine the severity of the problem.

Southgate knows he has a decision to make as to whether he rests Kane or run the risk of starting him for the crunch tie.

A win against USA would see England progress into the knockout stages, and would all-but guarantee top spot in Group B.

Southgate will be weighing up whether to make an changes in his attempt to keep his players fresh, but isn't usually one to tinker.

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Jordan Pickford will undoubtedly keep his place between the sticks at the expense of both Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope.

Kieran Trippier is likely to be England's first-choice right-back for the remainder of the World Cup.

Luke Shaw is the only recognised left-back so will start on the opposite side.

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Despite being taken off for being unwell against Iran, Harry Maguire has declared himself as fit, and he should once again feature in the heart of defence having impressed in the opening game.

Erid Dier and Ben White are pressing for starts, but John Stones will likely partner Maguire again.

Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will surely be deployed once again in a double-pivot having run the midfield against Iran.

The biggest decisions to be made will be in attack.

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After his double against Iran, Bukayo Saka will almost certainly keep his spot on the right winge with Raheem Sterling - also on target in the 6-2 win - to feature down the left flank.

Mason Mount impressed in England's World Cup opener and is a favourite of Southgate's.

But Phil Foden could be preferred in the No10 role if Kane isn't fit.

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Foden has seven Premier League goals this season, compared to Mount's two, and can provide more of a goal threat than the Chelsea star.

Newcastle marksman Wilson would then be tasked with leading the line should Kane not be deemed fit enough.

Wilson came on and made an impact against Iran, setting up Jack Grealish for his goal, and has been in good form for Newcastle.

Grealish is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench again as an impact sub.

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