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Maddison set for first England start as star's attitude impresses Southgate

talksport.com, 26 March 2023, 10:24
Gareth Southgate is expected to hand Leicester star James Maddison his first England start for Sunday's match against Ukraine.

The 26-year-old has earnt just one international cap, with injuries stunting his chances of adding to his first he made as a substitute against Montenegro in the Euro 2020 qualifiers in 2019.

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Now, he's set to be part of Gareth Southgate's starting line-up for England's second Euro 2024 qualifying game at Wembley against Ukraine and add to his 35 minutes he's had on the international stage.

According to Sky Sports, the Three Lions boss had been impressed with the Leicester City playmaker's attitude out in Qatar when the England star didn't get any minutes due to a knee injury.

And it's understood his performances in training over the last week have had the same effect, with him working alongside striker Harry Kane and winger Bukayo Saka in a front three.

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Maddison's expected role in the side will differ from his normal position at the King Power Stadium, which sees him play as a No.10.

But Southgate will be hoping the Foxes star - who has scored nine goals and recorded five assists in the Premier League this season - can help England make it two wins in two in the qualifiers for next summer's tournament.

The Three Lions got the better of Euro 2020 final foes Italy on Thursday night in Naples, beating them 2-1 as Harry Kane's first half penalty made him England's all-time record scorer and added to Declan Rice's opener.

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But Luke Shaw's red card in the second half during the win against Italy means Southgate will need to rejig his starting XI, with Chelsea star Ben Chilwell also pushing for his inclusion.

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