Gareth Southgate is believed to have settled on a back four for England’s opening Euro 2020 clash with Croatia, with Kieran Trippier starting at left back while Jack Grealish drops to the bench.

England kick off the campaign at Wembley on Sunday afternoon and it will be a tough test for Southgate’s side as they run out against the team that knocked them out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi final stage.

A winning start would settle the nerves and put England on the verge of qualification for the last 16 with just one game played, but defeat would make the clash with Scotland that little bit more nervy.

All that in mind, there is a lot of focus on the team Southgate plans to field, and The Athletic report that a back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Tyrone Mings and Trippier – out of position at left back – is on the agenda.

They say Southgate isn’t convinced over the match-fitness of Ben Chilwell or Luke Shaw, who each played in European finals recently and joined the England camp later than some of their teammates.

Jordan Henderson is still recovering from injury, so Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips are set to start at central midfield, with no place in the starting XI for Jude Bellingham despite impressing against Austria and Romania.

Further up, Harry Kane will lead the line (obviously), but the three spots behind him are up for grabs. It’s believed Southgate has decided on Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Mason Mount, with Grealish, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford having to settle for spots on the bench.

Team news this early is of course subject to change, but it’s understood Southgate is fairly settled in the XI he plans to send out to kick the tournament off.