Smalling in for Walker, as Manchester United teammate Phil Jones misses out.
Chris Smalling is set to replace the suspended Kyle Walker at right back in one of two England changes for tonight’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Poland.
Smalling’s Manchester United teammate Phil Jones had expected to be given the nod in Walker’s absence but Smalling, 23, who has played just 94 minutes of Premier League football this season, is the choice of manager Roy Hodgson, according to The Times’ journalist Matt Dickinson.
The other change to the team that beat Montenegro 4-1 at Wembley on Friday sees United’s Michael Carrick replace Frank Lampard – a move that should allow skipper Steven Gerrard to push forward.
Not Carrick’s biggest fan, to say least, but would def change Lampard and Wilshere not at top of his game so can see the logic
— Matt Dickinson (@DickinsonTimes) October 15, 2013
Other change for England is Smalling at right-back.
— Matt Dickinson (@DickinsonTimes) October 15, 2013
Three Lions boss Hodgson is again expected to line up with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Friday’s hero Andros Townsend expected to be fit after a knee complaint.
Likely England line-up:
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