Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy played up front in Sunday’s 2-1 worldwide friendly win over fellow finalists Turkey at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, while forwards Wayne Rooney, the captain, and Daniel Sturridge have also joined the squad after playing in finals with their clubs.
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Liverpool players will also be out of Roy Hodgson’s team but strikers Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane are expected to start the game.
However, a second-half change in system saw Vardy move from a wider position to form a two-pronged strike force with Kane – a move that quickly paid dividends as his pace and directness earned a penalty.
Sturridge and Rooney were not available for the game owing to club commitments this week but are likely to feature against Australia on Friday, when Vardy will be absent because he is getting married on Wednesday.
“I hope it continues – the main thing is we wanted to win”, said Vardy. “I know he really is desperate to be selected to go to the Euros and do a good job so I’m pretty confident when I see him on Saturday morning he will be fine”.
“I’m not planning an experimental team but we have only three preparation games and already quite a lot of people – seven players – have missed the first one”.
However, Wright is adamant that should not be the case, and even went so far as to argue that because Drinkwater has been the best midfielder in England this season he should be one of the first three names on the squad list.
The 18-year-old was a doubt after limping out of Manchester United’s FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace, but he has recovered in time to show what he can offer England.
Hodgson introduced Danny Drinkwater and Jordan Henderson in the second period, but it was Vardy who grabbed England’s victor.
“I get married on Wednesday”, the striker said after the match.
“I’m rather hoping he is going to be able to join us. With the team we have got we are capable of going forward”. “I’ll have to take that next year some time”, Vardy said.
“You might want to ask me about Rashford’s fitness and I’ll have to answer that I don’t know”, said Hodgson.
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However, Scholes added: “I’d probably still start with Wayne in a number 10 or a number nine role up front with Kane”. I was happy to score again and get us on our way, Dele managed another nutmeg and it fell nicely for me.
