Low: Lions are no longer a long-ball team

JOACHIM LOW believes Gareth Southgate’s England options are the strongest he can remember.

The Germany coach reckons the Three Lions are no longer a “long-ball” team and are far more studied in their approach. He puts it down to the tactics of Premier League managers Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino, and is expecting more of a tactical battle tonight.

Low said: “The England team hasn’t been this strong in years. They rely far less on long balls. All the big clubs in England have coaches who put a lot of value on putting together combinations of passes. You also see it in the national team, where there is more emphasis on tactics.”

Germany, winners of the Confederations Cup in July, are favourites to defend their World Cup title next year in Russia, having breezed through qualification with 10 wins out 10 to top their group.

However, they are without Marco Reus, Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer for tonight’s game, with Toni Kroos also doubtful.

While England will field three debutants, Low (right) is also looking to new blood for his World Cup party. Among the newcomers is Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg. “I am planning with him from the start,” said Low. “I took him with us for that reason.

“He has been playing very well at Leipzig. He is good in the air, a strong physical player.

“We have to make tough decisions. If you want to be world champions, you need world-class players. We have to have an incredibly strong squad.

“We want to play well and a result is an important issue. But I want to experiment a bit. We still have a few games to prepare until the World Cup.

“It is still a bit of a test phase this year. With the tournament in mind, I want to see not only those players who play regularly.”

Kroos missed training with a stomach virus on Wednesday, and only took part in the warm-up yesterday, so his participation is still in doubt.

“Toni was ill and then he only warmed up because he is still a bit weak from the stomach virus,” added Low. “We will have to see how it develops. I will not risk anything.

“It could be that he is rested. If he does feel 100 per cent he could get a break for a game because he plays constantly, every three days, throughout the season.”