SOUTHGATE IS READY TO UNLEASH ‘BEAUTIFUL’ FODEN

GARETH Southgate has hailed Phil Foden as a ‘beautiful’ talent as he prepares to hand the Manchester City youngster his England debut today. Southgate is considering starting the 20-year-old midfielder as England kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Iceland. The England boss has looked at using Foden alongside Declan Rice and James Ward-Prowse in a three-man midfield in training ahead of today’s clash — the team’s first in 11 months. ‘We’re conscious that he’s a hugely exciting talent and we didn’t want to expose that too early,’ said Southgate. ‘But now we felt at the end of the season and post-lockdown he had a really good run of games. You could see that physically he had adapted. ‘We see him being with us moving forward. Nothing I have seen this week would suggest that’s not going to be the case. He’s a beautiful player to watch.’ Southgate also confirmed he plans to hold a three-way audition for first-choice goalkeeper ahead of next year’s European Championships. Current No 1 Jordan Pickford appears to have the nod for today’s match — but Nick Pope and Dean Henderson will have the opportunity to stake their claim. ‘Everybody puts more emphasis on a change in the goalkeeping position than any other,’ said Southgate. ‘We would be more than comfortable with any of the three in goal. It’s a big season for all of them in different ways and there will be that competition through the season.’ Kyle Walker is set to start at right-back after being handed an international recall by Southgate. The Manchester City defender hasn’t played for England since June 2019. Joe Gomez and Eric Dier look likely to start as centre-halves, while Kieran Trippier and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are vying for left-back. Harry Kane will captain the side as central striker and is expected to be flanked by Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho in a three-man attack. Meanwhile, Southgate has promised Harry Maguire an immediate return to the England squad next month. Manchester United’s captain was pulled out of the squad for the Nations League fixtures with Iceland and Denmark after he was initially found guilty of a number offences on the Greek island of Mykonos. The charges were dropped on appeal and Maguire is now awaiting a retrial. Kick-off: 5pm, Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik. TV: LIVE Sky Sports Football. Referee: Srdjan Jovanovic (Serbia).