Evening Standard
·12 November 2024
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·12 November 2024
Lee Carsley is juggling another of withdrawals from his final squad as interim manager
England head to Greece this week for the first of a crucial Nations League double-header in interim head coach Lee Carsley’s final games in charge.
The Three Lions were stunned at home by Greece in the previous international break to fall three points behind Ivan Jovanovic’s side in League B Group 2. Another defeat on Thursday will see England miss out on top spot, while a point will see them confirm a top-two spot and a promotion play-off spot.
Carsley has had to juggle a number of withdrawals from his final squad, which has given the likes of Morgan Rogers the chance to impress before incoming manager Thomas Tuchel starts work on January 1.
Greece vs England is scheduled for a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
The match will take place at Athens Olympic Stadium, the home of Panathinaikos.
Harry Kane in training on Tuesday
Nick Potts/PA Wire
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the ITVX app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
England have been hit by eight withdrawals from the squad, forcing interim manager Lee Carsley to make wholesale changes to his final senior selection.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale have all made themselves unavailable, making space for a number of inexperienced faces.
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has received his first senior call-up, while Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite along with the uncapped Tino Livramento and James Trafford have also been added to the 23-man squad.
The likes of Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis, Angel Gomes and Noni Madueke are all pushing for a start given other fitness issues in the squad.
Morgan Rodgers joins England training for the first time on Tuesday
Action Images via Reuters
This is a tricky test for England, made even more so by the number of withdrawals from the squad. Greece have won five on the bounce, including winning away at the Three Lions last month and Ireland in September.
Carsley will still have plenty of talent at his disposal for the trip, and will surely not go too rogue with his team selection and tactics after his failed experiments in the last break, but will need his remaining starts - captain Harry Kane - to be at their best to come away with all three points.
Draw: 1-1
Greece wins: 1
Draws: 2
England wins: 7
Greece: 11/4
Draw: 17/10
England: 8/11
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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