England manager Gareth Southgate should have 2022-23 Player of the Year Bukayo Saka at his disposal for Saturday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group C clash with Ukraine.

The Arsenal attacker - who netted a hat-trick in June's 7-0 thumping of North Macedonia - spent some of this week training indoors, as did Levi Colwill and Callum Wilson.

However, none of the trio is believed to be nursing an injury, although Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish have been forced to withdraw from the squad for that exact reason.

Despite his recent nomination for the Yashin Trophy, Aaron Ramsdale will likely cede the gloves to Jordan Pickford once more, while Kyle Walker and Ben Chilwell take up their full-back roles.

With John Stones missing, Lewis Dunk, Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi will battle to partner defensive stalwart Harry Maguire, and the Crystal Palace centre-half seems set to win that three-way showdown.

Amid a strong start to life at Arsenal, Declan Rice will no doubt operate at the base of the midfield, while Jordan Henderson's spot is unlikely to be under any threat despite his controversial move to Saudi Arabia.

With five goals to show from his opening four games in a Real Madrid shirt, the in-form Jude Bellingham - who missed June's matches through injury - should offer adequate support to the fearsome front three of Saka, Marcus Rashford and Bayern Munich's Harry Kane.

James Maddison and Phil Foden will therefore have to accept places on the bench despite earning Premier League plaudits, as will the uncapped Eddie Nketiah following his maiden senior call-up.

England possible starting lineup: Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Chilwell; Bellingham, Rice, Henderson; Saka, Kane, Rashford

Written by
Ben Knapton