Wednesday 12 October 2016 07:38, UK
Eric Dier is set to return for England when they face Slovenia in their latest World Cup qualifier on Tuesday evening.
The Tottenham midfielder missed the 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley with a hamstring injury, as Gareth Southgate secured a maiden win as interim boss.
Captain Wayne Rooney, who played in a deep-lying midfield role on Saturday, has been dropped to the bench, allowing Dier to partner Jordan Henderson, who will captain the team.
Slovenia, who lost twice to England in Euro 2016 Qualifying, go into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Slovakia.
But coach Srecko Katanec wants his men to approach the game in measured fashion.
"I warned the guys against too much euphoria are the Slovakia result," he said. "You cannot compare the two teams; England has a lot more quality in every way. The team functions very well and we expect a tough match in every aspect.
"England have very quick players and very fast in transition from defence to attack. But we don't need to be afraid of the game or afraid to lose. The guys are unburdened."
Team news
Dier and Danny Rose start in the two changes to England's side in Slovenia, according to Sky sources.
Dier replaces Rooney in midfield, while Rose comes in for left-back Ryan Bertrand, who was injured during Saturday's win over Malta.
Team: Hart, Walker, Stones, Cahill, Rose, Dier, Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Walcott, Sturridge.
Opta stats
This will be the fifth contest between these two nations, with England winning all previous four matches.
In England's last meeting with Slovenia back in June 2015; Jack Wilshere scored twice for the Three Lions.
Seven of England's nine goals against Slovenia have arrived in the second half, including the last six in a row.
Slovenia have only lost one of their last nine qualifying games at home (W6 D2), although that lost did come against the Three Lions in June 2015.
England have lost only one of their last 15 away internationals (W9 D5) - 0-2 vs Spain in November 2015.
Slovenia have scored in three of their four previous matches against England.
The Three Lions have won their last 14 qualifying games, and are unbeaten in their last 31 qualifiers overall (W24 D7).
England have had 87 shots (inc. blocks) over their last four international games, scoring four goals in the process.
England have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven away qualifying matches, but conceded twice in the other to Slovenia in June 2015.
Charlie's prediction
It wasn't a glorious performance against Malta but did anybody really expect it to be an exciting game? I thought it should have been four or five but Malta never came out to play.
We know Slovenia are technically decent but have they got enough to take on the big teams? I'm not sure. It's a similar one to the Slovakia game and you'd hope, being the home side, that they try to win the game.
This is one of those games where you'll create a few chances, take one and leave with the points but if Southgate is bold enough to stick with the forwards that he picked against a Malta then I think they'll win by more than goal and actually get more of a cut through with Theo Walcott's pace away if it's more of an open game.
Charlie predicts: 0-2 and Walcott to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
England can be backed at 4/6 with Sky Bet to maintain their 100 per cent record in this qualification period while Slovenia are 19/4 shots to cause an upset.
If you fancy a repeat of Saturday's win for England, Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli both to score has been boosted from 7/1 to 8/1 while Rooney to score off the bench in an England victory is 11/4.
