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Matt Le Tissier's best England line-up: No Joe Hart or Raheem Sterling

Matt le Tissier
Image: Joe Hart's form is not good enough to warrant an England place, says Matt le Tissier

Matt Le Tissier has picked his best England XI ahead of the upcoming 2018 World Cup Qualifiers and the Sky Sports pundit cannot find any room for either Joe Hart or Raheem Sterling.

England will look to strengthen their grasp on top spot in Group F when they visit Malta on Friday, before hosting Slovakia on Tuesday, with successive wins likely to all but ensure their place in Russia.

However, Gareth Southgate still has a host of key decisions to make regarding his starting XI, with his first-choice goalkeeper and captaincy under particular scrutiny.

Here's how Le Tiss' side would line up though if everyone was fit and available....

Le Tiss' best England XI

I don't think Joe Hart is at his best so the choice was really between Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford, whose time will come, but is a bit too inexperienced still.

It is a toss-up at left-back between Danny Rose, who is still injured, and Ryan Bertrand. However, I will go with the Southampton left-back, although not out of bias at all! It's also tough to call on the right between Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, who have different strengths which almost cancel each other out, although Walker has more experience at this level.

Gary Cahill is my first choice centre-back and then I'm not convinced by the other options. I'd be concerned by John Stones defensively and Michael Keane was close to getting in, but I'll put faith in the Man City defender because of his potential.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during an England training session at St George's Park
Image: Le Tissier would start new Liverpool signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in central midfield for England

My central midfield would be Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, which is where I think he'll be hoping to play rather than as a wing back and is probably why he chose Liverpool, and I think he'll be looking very good after an injury-free season.

Adam Lallana is the only player I've picked who will be injured for this weekend's games. He'll be missed against Malta because he's one of those players who has the creativity to unlock a tight defence, unlike Raheem Sterling, who struggles without space to exploit.

Marcus Rashford is better at dealing with those situations and gets the nod for me along with Dele Alli. I don't think there's too much debate about Alli and I'd just play him in exactly the same role as he plays for Tottenham. It's not rocket science.

England forward Harry Kane celebrates after scoring during the international friendly football match v France at The Stade de France, Paris
Image: Harry Kane would both lead the line and captain England in Le Tissier's line-up

Then my striker and captain would be the easiest pick of the lot, Harry Kane. There's a concern that he could follow Wayne Rooney in trying to do everything on his own, but it's up to Southgate to ensure that he focuses his game on just scoring goals.

Rooney wouldn't have got in even if he was available because I think this team needs a fresh start, although my ambitions would be satisfied if we got to the quarter-finals of the World Cup as it's still quite a young side.

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