England Ready to Face Czech Amidst Injury Crisis

England is ready to face Czech despite the injury crisis he team has faced in he recent.

Five players withdrew from England’s team ahead of their European Championship Qualifiers against the Czech but Gareth Southgate has admitted that such withdrawals although unfortunate, will offer other players chances in the first XI.

With Marcus Rashford the latest player to withdraw, Southgate said that he will finally take the decision to field either Callum Hudson-Odoi or Jadon Sancho to perform the roles the Manchester United youngster were to do. Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, defenders John Stones and Luke Shaw and Liverpool’s Alexander Trent-Arnold will not be part of England’s squad tonight due to injuries.

“There’s no hesitation we’ll play someone we think suitable. It is a good opportunity for others. We have loads of creative players. There is real competition for places. If players miss games there is no guarantee they will get back in. It is a challenge for the group. People have asked what’s the selection policy. In the end, the players have to have the quality to play in the shirt. Ideally, they will have played a few games for the clubs. But what we see is people in different positions.” Southgate said.

Match Stats

• This will be the third match between England and the Czech Republic, with the Three Lions winning one and drawing the other, both friendlies.
• England are unbeaten in their last 18 Euro qualifying matches (W15 D3), winning the last 10 in a row. Their last such defeat came under current QPR manager Steve McClaren in November 2007 versus Croatia.
• England have lost only one of their 15 home games under Southgate (W10 D4), losing 2-1 against Spain in the Nations League. Only Roy Hodgson (79.2%), Fabio Capello (76.2%) and Walter Winterbottom (69%) have better home win percentages for England than Southgate (66.7%).
• The Czech Republic have won their last two games by a 1-0 scoreline, they last won three consecutive matches without conceding back in October 2007.
• England have lost just two of their last 23 home games in all competitions played in the month of March (W15 D6 L2), losing v the Netherlands in 2016 (2-1) and Italy in 2002 (2-1).
• England’s Harry Kane has scored 15 goals in his last 17 starts for the Three Lions, despite enduring a six-game drought in this run.
• Rashford has scored three goals in his last six England appearances, as many as he bagged in his previous 25.
• Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho was the first Englishman to reach 10 assists in Europe’s top five leagues this season.