England manager Gareth Southgate set to unleash Manchester United star Marcus Rashford on Slovakia

  • England play Slovakia in important World Cup qualifier on Monday evening
  • Manager Gareth Southgate is set to start Marcus Rashford at Wembley
  • Raheem Sterling is likely to make way after poor performance in Malta
  • Eric Dier returns from suspension and will replace Jake Livermore
  • Victory at Wembley will essentially secure England's World Cup place 

Gareth Southgate is set to unleash Marcus Rashford in Monday night's make-or-break World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

The Manchester United youngster impressed as a second-half substitute in Friday's win over Malta.

Speaking on Sunday, Southgate hinted at a possible start for Rashford at Wembley, saying: 'We really like his [Rashford] mentality so we wouldn't hesitate to start him.' 

Marcus Rashford is expected to start for England in their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia

Marcus Rashford is expected to start for England in their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia

The Manchester United striker impressed off the bench against Malta on Friday night

The Manchester United striker impressed off the bench against Malta on Friday night

Gareth Southgate is likely to replace Raheem Sterling with Rashford for the Slovakia match

Gareth Southgate is likely to replace Raheem Sterling with Rashford for the Slovakia match

How England's group looks entering Monday night's make-or-break fixtures

How England's group looks entering Monday night's make-or-break fixtures

England line-up 

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1, probable): Hart; Walker, Jones, Cahill, Bertrand; Henderson, Dier; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alli, Rashford; Kane. 

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The news leaves Raheem Sterling - who was substituted in place of Rashford at half-time in Malta - and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sweating on their places in the starting XI.


Though it is Manchester City attacker Sterling who is expected to start on the bench.

Eric Dier will return from suspension to start alongside captain Jordan Henderson in central midfield in move that will see Jake Livermore drop to the bench.

Sterling struggled to make an impression against Malta and was subbed off

Sterling struggled to make an impression against Malta and was subbed off

Rashford performed well after he came on and is now set to be rewarded with a starting spot

Rashford performed well after he came on and is now set to be rewarded with a starting spot

Eric Dier is set to return to the team after missing the Malta match through suspension

Eric Dier is set to return to the team after missing the Malta match through suspension

Southgate has already confirmed Joe Hart keeps his place in goal while the England manager will keep faith with the same back four that played against Malta, meaning starts for Kyle Walker, Phil Jones, Gary Cahill and Ryan Bertrand.

Harry Kane, who has scored five goals in three internationals, will start as England's lone striker.

Victory at Wembley will virtually assure England of their place in next summer's World Cup finals in Russia, with games against Slovenia and Lithuania still to come.

However, defeat would see Slovakia go top of Group F leaving qualification out of England's hands ahead of the final round of matches next month.