Southgate to hand England debuts to Callum Wilson, Alex McCarthy and Lewis Dunk tonight
Fabian Delph is to lead the side out before Wayne Rooney comes on to assume the captaincy in the 53rd minute for his final bow in international football
GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to hand out debuts to Callum Wilson, Alex McCarthy and Lewis Dunk tonight in England's friendly against the United States.
The Three Lions boss has decided to shake up his usual starting 11 for Wayne Rooney's final bow in international football.
Bournemouth striker Wilson and Brighton centre-back Dunk are expected to start the game while Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy will make his senior bow off the bench after half-time.
Fabian Delph will lead the side out before Rooney comes on to assume the captaincy in the 53rd minute for his 120th and final appearance.
is ringing the changes ahead of the crucial Uefa Nations League clash against Croatia.
The outcome of the match will determine who is to be relegated from Group 4 and Southgate's selection shake-up shows the Croatia match is in mind.
Fact file: Callum Wilson
- Age 26
- Made his debut for Coventry in 2009
- Scored 22 times in 49 appearances for the West Midlands club
- Moved to Bournemouth in 2014
- Scored 45 goals in 117 appearances for the Cherries
- Ruptured his ACL in his right knee in 2015 - ruled out for six months
- Ruptured his ACL in his left knee in 2017 - ruled out for six months
- Highest scoring English player so far this season
- Called up to Southgate's squad for fixtures vs US and Croatia
In his press conference ahead of tonight's clash, the England boss said: “There are only three players in the squad who haven't played for us, so it's not so difficult. They will all make their debut at some stage, yes.”
Southgate also confirmed that he is holding back Joe Gomez for the Croatia tie on Sunday.
Speaking about the Liverpool ace, he said: "We've modified his training in the early part of the week just to make sure that we give him the best chance for being involved on Sunday."
Fact file: Lewis Dunk
- Age 26
- Born in Brighton and played for Seagulls throughout his career
- Made debut in 2010 and has made 216 appearances for the south coast club
- Signed new five year contract with the Seagulls last month
- Called up to England senior squad by Gareth Southgate after impressing this term
According to, Jadon Sancho is also set to start for England tonight.
The 18-year-old starlet made his debut appearance against Croatia last month after impressing in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund.
England vs USA will kick off at 8pm.
You can follow all the action via our dedicated SunSport LIVE BLOG.
Fact file: Alex McCarthy
- Age 28
- Started career at Reading - making 70 appearances for the Royals
- Then sent on a series of loans - including Leeds, Ipswich and Brentford
- Signed for QPR in 2014 before making switch to Crystal Palace for £3.5million
- Moved to Southampton in 2016 and has made 26 appearances
- Called up to England squad by Sam Allardyce in 2016 but did not feature
- Called up by Southgate in August for Spain and Switzerland clashes
- Set to feature against United States in second half
