England team LEAKED: Raheem Sterling axed as starting XI for Panama clash is exposed
RAHEEM STERLING is set to be axed for England’s next World Cup clash.
Posted Friday, June 22, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk
England team LEAKED: Raheem Sterling looks set to be dropped
Marcus Rashford looks to have got the nod to start in his place against Panama on Sunday.
The surprise change from England’s first game emerged after assistant manager Steve Holland appeared to inadvertently reveal the starting XI.
Gareth Southgate’s right-hand man was spotted holding a piece of paper in training with what looked like England’s line-up, written above the names of their understudies.
If accurate, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will also replace the injured Dele Alli, as expected, while the rest of the side will be the same as the one which started against Tunisia in Monday’s opening 2-1 win.
Holland was caught out as he walked out to help Southgate take training at the squad’s Repino base, near St Petersburg.
The mistake, in full view of watching cameramen and photographers, is embarrassing for Holland, Southgate and their FA bosses.
The Three Lions boss has been on a mission to keep his team selections top secret since taking charge in 2016.
England star Marcus Rashford looks set to start against Panama
He likes to keep his rivals guessing and is desperate not to hand them any advantage.
The FA have gone to extraordinary lengths to make England’s training base in Russia as private and secure as possible.
The pitch is surrounded by a three-metre high fence with solid screens to stop people seeing through.
Russian police patrol the perimeter in pairs and there are also plain clothed officers on site along with the FA’s own security staff.
The inclusion of Loftus-Cheek is no great surprise after Alli damaged his thigh against Tunisia.
But the decision to drop Sterling after just one World Cup game is a big shock considering he has established himself as one of Southgate’s senior stars.
England star Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also expected to come in for Dele Alli
Despite being just 23, the Manchester City ace is one of the most experienced members of the squad with 39 caps.
But Sterling had a poor game against Tunisia and was replaced by Rashford after 68 minutes.
Loftus-Cheek performed well during his 10-minute cameo against Tunisia and Southgate is reluctant to consider Fabian Delph for a starting place while he waits for his wife to give birth.
Southgate oversaw training without wearing a sling despite dislocating his shoulder. The England boss suffered the injury while out running.
He was on his own at the time and had no security with him because nobody can keep up with him.
Alli is expected to miss training for the rest of the week while he recovers from his injury.
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