Harry Winks set for shock England debut in Lithuania as Gareth Southgate hints he’ll make changes for World Cup qualifier after securing place in finals
Three Lions boss has freedom to experiment in the final group game and the Spurs' England Under-21 midfielder would be the boldest pick after his late selection for the squad
GARETH SOUTHGATE has hinted Harry Winks could win a shock England debut in Lithuania.
The Tottenham playmaker earned a late promotion from the Under-21s' squad after injuries to Fabian Delph and Phil Jones.
Now he might might be paired with club-mate Dele Alli, who is back from suspension after Thursday's 1-0 defeat of Slovenia guaranteed England's place in the World Cup finals.
Southgate is free to experiment as the Three Lions have already won Group F and Lithuania are sure to finish second-bottom.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been giving Winks, 21, increasing game time and rates him "the perfect midfielder".
And England's one-paced lack of creativity against Slovenia at Wembley was perhaps the worst of their defects.
So Southgate may think Sunday is the ideal opportunity to blood Winks, who offers the ease of passing that solid anchormen like Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson possibly lack.
Asked if Winks could start, Southgate said: "For sure we'll make changes.
most read in football
"The game is slightly different on an artificial pitch. We want to play players that can handle the ball."
Pochettino will have coached 14 of the last 29 England debutants if Winks plays.
The Hertfordshire-born hopeful has gradually been groomed for great things by the Argentine manager, having made his senior Tottenham debut three years ago.
Keep up to date with ALL the transfer news and gossip on our blog