Alan Smith's Germany-England combined XI

By Alan Smith, Football Expert

Ahead of England's international friendly with Germany, Alan Smith picks his combined XI...

Borussia Dortmund's iconic Westfalenstadion plays host to Gareth Southgate's first game since he was made England manager on a permanent basis.

As a depleted England, replenished with debutants, prepares to lock horns with the reigning world champions, former England, Arsenal and Leicester striker Smith has compiled his best XI of the players available to both Southgate and his counterpart, Joachim Low.

Here's who the Sky Sports pundit selected ahead of Wednesday's mouth-watering clash...

Alan Smith's Germany-England XI (4-2-3-1)

Image: Alan Smith's Germany-England combined XI

GOALKEEPER: JOE HART

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My first choice would have been Manuel Neuer. He is not infallible but Neuer is one of the best goalkeeper's in the world. However, having been ruled out of the game through injury, I've selected Joe Hart. Even though he has gone away to Torino to rebuild his career, he is the closest to Neuer out of the England goalkeepers.

RIGHT-BACK: KYLE WALKER

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Walker is in the form of his life under Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs. He used to be guilty of lacking concentration but he's addressed that over the last two seasons. He's an absolute shoo-in.

CENTRE-BACK: MATS HUMMELS

Hummels reads the game well, he's a fantastic character and a good leader, as we are seeing following his return to Bayern Munich last summer.

Image: Germany defender Mats Hummels partners Cahill at the back

CENTRE-BACK: GARY CAHILL

Cahill has had a career at the top of the game for some time now, and he is the foundation on which Chelsea's title challenge is built on. To stay in the Chelsea team for the length of time he has is testament to how high his standards are.

LEFT-BACK: RYAN BERTRAND

Bertrand is having a fantastic season at Southampton both in defence and attack and he has a wealth of experience.

Image: Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand's impressive campaign earns him the left-back berth

CENTRE MIDFIELD: TONI KROOS

His quality is unquestionable. He is a Rolls Royce of a player, producing week in, week out at the heart of the Real Madrid team.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: SAMI KHEDIRA

With Eric Dier deployed in defence at times this season, I've opted for Khedira. He's got the track record at international level and is the engine behind Juventus' quest for a sixth straight Serie A title.

Image: Sami Khedira partners Toni Kroos in Smith's midfield

RIGHT WING: RAHEEM STERLING

Playing regularly under Pep Guardiola is working wonders for Sterling. He's developed into a crucial aspect of City's attack. If you asked a defender who they'd least like to play against they would probably say Sterling, so I'm going for him ahead of Julian Draxler.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD: DELE ALLI

He's a fantastic talent. He's full of goals and energy. It may surprise some that I've picked him ahead of Mesut Ozil but, on current form, Ozil simply doesn't deserve to make the team.

Image: Dele Alli starts ahead of Mesut Ozil in the No. 10 role

LEFT WING: LEROY SANE

After a slow start to life at City he has come on leaps and bounds. His devastating pace and eye for goal are just too good to overlook.

CENTRE FORWARD: THOMAS MULLER

Although he's been struggling for goals and left out at times at Bayern this season, you cannot ignore Muller's quality on the international stage. He's not a traditional centre forward but he has a great habit of scoring goals.

Image: Goal-shy Thomas Muller's international pedigree sees him lead the line

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