England predicted line-up vs. Serbia: Three changes as Crystal Palace's Guéhi face fitness battleplaceholder image
England predicted line-up vs. Serbia: Three changes as Crystal Palace's Guéhi face fitness battle | Getty Images
The latest England team news, injury updates and predicted line-up ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
England may be forced to field a much changed line-up for their World Cup qualifying match against Serbia at Wembley after fresh injury issues hit Thomas Tuchel’s squad in the build-up, with two players withdrawing and another a major doubt for Thursday’s game.
The Three Lions, who have already confirmed their place in the 2026 World Cup having won all six of their qualifying matches so far, will be without both Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope after the Newcastle pair pulled out of international duty, while Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi – like Gordon a regular starter under Tuchel – faces a battle to be fit in time.
We’ve got all of the latest England team news and injury updates below ahead of their game against Serbia, along with our prediction for Tuchel’s starting line-up, which includes three changes from the team thrashed faced Latvia in October.
Will Marc Guéhi be fit to face Serbia?
The biggest doubt heading into Thursday’s game concerns the fitness of Guéhi, who was left temporarily unable to walk by a foot injury sustained during the recent Europa Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar.
Some media outlets initially reported that Guéhi, who was left out of Palace’s matchday squad for their derby match against Brighton & Hove Albion over the weekend, had withdrawn from the England squad – but The FA have since released a statement confirming that Guéhi remains a part of the side for the games against Serbia and Albania and will be “assessed” prior to kick-off on Thursday.
Given the apparent severity of the injury, it is very likely that he is rested against Serbia, especially with qualification already secured. England will also be without Gordon (hip) and Pope (concussion), both of whom pulled out of the squad after the weekend. They were replaced by Manchester City’s James Trafford and Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, who may get the chance to make his debut with Guéhi liable to miss out.
Jude Bellingham & Phil Foden battling for England places
England will still be without the services of Cole Palmer as he recovers from a groin injury but they will welcome Jude Bellingham back into the fold after he missed the last two squads while coming back from a shoulder problem – the Real Madrid man faces an intriguing battle to force his way back into the starting a side, however.
Phil Foden has also been recalled for the first time since March and could play through the middle – although a berth on the left seems more likely given Gordon’s absence – while Morgan Rogers has impressed in recent matches while Bellingham was unavailable.
Elsewhere, the out-of-form Ollie Watkins has been excluded from the squad, leaving Marcus Rashford as the only obvious back-up to striker Harry Kane, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott will be pushing for a debut after receiving his first call-up. The 23-year-old is expected to start from the bench against Serbia, however, with either Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton more likely to partner Declan Rice in midfield.
England predicted line-up vs. Serbia: Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Stones, James; Rice, Anderson; Foden, Bellingham, Saka; Kane.
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