Gareth Southgate is out to extend England’s lead at the top of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group as the Three Lions welcome Lithuania to Wembley on Sunday. Southgate trialled a new three-man defence as England lost 1-0 to Germany in Dortmund on Wednesday night, with the manager’s side impressing until Lukas Podolski’s sublime second-half winner. The Three Lions currently lead Group F with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches, but failure to beat Edgaras Jankauskas’s Lithuania this weekend could cost them top spot. The teams will also pay tribute to the victims of Wednesday afternoon’s terror attacks in London, with the FA confirming that the “bravery” of those affected will be honoured at Wembley.

TEAM NEWS

Jamie Vardy started up front against Germany in front of Marcus Rashford, though the Manchester United striker could lead the line against Lithuania.

West Ham midfielder Michail Antonio and Old Trafford defender Phil Jones have been forced to withdraw from the England squad due to injury.

Southgate has yet to confirm a replacements for either, while Gary Cahill is suspended for the qualifier.

Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott were among the most notable absentees from Southgate’s 26-man squad, while captain Wayne Rooney also misses out.

Sunderland’s 34-year-old striker Jermain Defoe was the most notable beneficiary of the attacking trio’s absence, with Southampton duo Nathan Remond and James Ward-Prowse and West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore among the surprise inclusions.

Southgate may be tempted to start with a three-man defence once again and frontload the wings and attack, though the absence of both Cahill and Jones may make a back-two a safer option.

Lithuania’s job has been made harder with a number of key absences, as Edwin Girdvainis (injury), George Freidgeimas (suspended) and Vytautas Andriuskevicius all miss out.

Source: standard.co.uk

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