Gary Neville urges Gareth Southgate to drop three England players for Slovakia clash

Gary Neville has called on England manager Gareth Southgate to make a number of changes to his starting XI to face Slovakia this weekend.

England take on the side ranked 45th in the world by FIFA in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

Southgate's side finished top of Group C, despite being held to draws by Denmark and Slovenia after narrowly beating Serbia in their opening match.

The Three Lions have faced criticism for their disjointed performances so far in Germany, and Southgate will be desperate for a positive result to silence the doubters.

Slovakia head into the match as major underdogs, having finished third in Group E.

Speaking ahead of the game, former England international Neville urged Southgate to bring Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold back into the starting line-up – having previously dropped him for the Slovenia draw.

Neville believes Alexander-Arnold should start against Slovakia at right-back, allowing Kyle Walker to move across to the left side of defence to replace Kieran Trippier, who is an injury doubt for the game.

Neville would also start Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo following his impressive second-half performance against Slovenia and play Chelsea's Cole Palmer on the right wing ahead of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka.

Speaking on Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, brought to you by Sky Bet, Neville said: "Kobbie Mainoo has to be in there, he will start. And I think I would bring in Trent for Trippier.

Gary Neville has urged Gareth Southgate to make a number of changes (Image: Getty)

"On the right, I think I would bring in Cole Palmer for Saka. I love Saka to bits but I just think Palmer has to play now.

"So I would bring in Trent, Mainoo and Palmer."

The Daily Mail claim Southgate is 'likely' to bring Mainoo into his starting line-up, while Trippier could indeed drop to the bench if he fails to pass a late fitness test.

However, Sky Sports News claims that if the Newcastle defender is unable to play, Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa is set to deputise at left-back – rather than Walker moving across to cover.

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