Young set to edge out Rose for Tunisia starting spot

GARETH SOUTHGATE appears to have settled on his starting line-up for England’s crucial opening World Cup game against Tunisia with a series of key selection dilemmas having been resolved.

Ashley Young looks to have won the contest with Danny Rose to take his place as the left wingback, while Jordan Henderson is likely to be selected ahead of Eric Dier as the holding midfielder.

The England manager also seems set to choose Harry Maguire ahead of Gary Cahill to play alongside Kyle Walker and John Stones in his three-man defence for Monday’s Group G tie.

With Southgate opting to use only one holding midfielder, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard will both start.

Jordan Pickford will play in goal, Kieran Trippier will be the right wing-back and Raheem Sterling will play just behind captain Harry Kane against a Tunisian side who have proved obdurate and organised, and were edged out only by a late goal in their recent warm-up match against Spain, following a nine-game unbeaten run.

The biggest selection headache for Southgate is whether to play Young or Rose.

Young started the warm-up match against Nigeria and, while Rose then played against Costa Rica and impressed, it seems that Manchester United utility player Young is set to claim the starting place and cap a remarkable career revival for the 32-year-old, who went four years without winning a cap. (© Daily Telgraph, London)