Jordan Henderson retains England captaincy for World Cup qualifier against Slovakia as manager Gareth Southgate calls for Wembley backing
- Jordan Henderson will lead England out for the crucial qualifier against Slovakia
- Liverpool midfielder led the team in Malta, where a 4-0 victory flattered England
- Manager Gareth Southgate wants his players to bring Wembley to their feet
Jordan Henderson will lead England out for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia at Wembley on Monday night, where manager Gareth Southgate wants his players to bring the crowd to their feet.
Liverpool midfielder Henderson led the team in Malta on Friday, where a 4-0 victory margin flattered an England side whose disappointing performance was booed by some travelling fans.
With England knowing victory over Slovakia will take them to the brink of a place in next year's finals in Russia, Southgate wants his stars to raise their game for the occasion.
Jordan Henderson will lead England out for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia
Manager Gareth Southgate wants his players to bring the Wembley crowd to their feet
Liverpool midfielder Henderson led the team in Malta, where a 4-0 victory flattered England
Victory would take Southgate's team five points clear with two games to play, and he is hoping to see a vibrant England display.
He said there was 'no point in changing' the captaincy, even though he has yet to appoint a full-time skipper following Wayne Rooney's international retirement, so Henderson keeps the armband.
Southgate added: 'It's a great opportunity for us, a home game. We are playing good opposition so we've got to make sure we are tactically prepared, which we will be, but also we've got to have belief in the team that we've got.
Southgate wants his stars to raise their game, as a win will all but guarantee qualification
'We've got some exciting players and we want to show that. We know the task we have; we know the opportunity. The whole country wants to be at a World Cup.
'It's a great opportunity for the Wembley crowd to get behind us as well. We have a responsibility to get them on their feet, but equally everywhere we go around the world, the opposition crowds really give the team a lift.
'This result can virtually get us to Russia so everybody wants that and it would be great if we get the level of support that I know that stadium can bring.'
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