Preparing for a disaster How Three Lions can adapt if key players get injured

England were a shadow of their firstchoice XI against Belgium as Gareth Southgate’s squad counted the cost of an injury-hit international break.

As it was, a late Jude Bellingham goal salvaged a draw from an errorstrewn defensive performance.

But it was hardly all doom and gloom for England as a number of Southgate’s second-stringers shone.

“There’s definitely some players who have emerged positively from the opportunities they’ve had,” Southgate said. “We’ve perhaps got more depth in one respect, but the injuries are a concern.”

NO KANE

Southgate was given the chance to play out this particularly scenario against Brazil and Belgium with captain Harry Kane unable to play.

Kane was seen training on his own this week having been released back to Bayern Munich. In his absence, either Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins will be asked to deputise, and if this international break was an audition, Toney got the part.

Watkins, with 31 league goals in his last two seasons, could well still be “on the plane”, especially given Marcus Rashford’s tumble down the pecking order.

NO SAKA

Bukayo Saka’s importance to the side should not be underestimated. The Arsenal winger has scored 11 times in his 32 England appearances.

But the two who were given the chance to play in his place both impressed for England.

Anthony Gordon was arguably England’s most potent threat on debut against Brazil, while West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen relished the open nature of the Belgium game.

If Saka is out, it may come down to match situation: the relentless Gordon provides more in the pressing game while Bowen is more of a physical presence, but right now neither feels like too much of a downgrade.

NO STONES

England’s greatest concern must come in defence. Even in the 10 minutes before John Stones limped off, the backline had looked shaky.

With Stones out, Harry Maguire’s fitness would be seen as essential by Southgate, and who he partners is one of many: Marc Guéhi is out injured at Crystal Palace; Lewis Dunk did not himself no favours against Belgium and Ezri Konsa was a fill-in at best. Joe Gomez is down the pecking order, and Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to make his debut.

If Stones is out, it also minimises Kobbie Mainoo’s chances of displacing Jordan Henderson, who will be Southgate’s choice to partner Rice.