Wayne Rooney heads a list of six high-profile changes to England’s starting lineup for the final group B fixture against Slovakia on Monday night as Roy Hodgson takes a calculated gamble to rest key members of his squad in anticipation of reaching the knockout stages.
England need a point to be sure of progress to the last 16 and a victory to ensure they top the section, but Hodgson’s desire to freshen up his selection sees him even prepared to rest his captain, outstanding in midfield in the two games to date, with one eye on a knockout tie this weekend.
Rooney is set to be replaced by Jordan Henderson, now fully recovered from a knee injury, and Jack Wilshere will also be integrated into a new-look midfield three in which Eric Dier is the only survivor. The Tottenham Hotspur full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose will also be given a breather, having illuminated the tournament so far, with Hodgson confident Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand will have a similar positive impact.
Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy, who were introduced at half-time against Wales and scored the goals which won that match, are to start. Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling are the other players who drop to the bench.
It may be considered risky to start Wilshere and Henderson given their respective fitness issues in the buildup to the tournament. Eyebrows will also be raised at the omission of Rooney when it was felt he would benefit from more matches in a relatively unfamiliar position before, England hope, they face elite opponents in the knockout rounds.
The combined caps of the players in midfield and attack is 120, only a handful more than the 113 Rooney has.
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