Lallana edging Vardy to start

ADAM LALLANA is winning his race to play in England’s match against Iceland on Monday. The midfielder suffered an injury scare as he was spotted with an ice pack on his right ankle after the squad’s training session in Chantilly, but he is almost certain to be fit for the last-16 showdown in Nice. The Liverpool star is also beating Jamie Vardy in the race to fill the left-sided attacker’s role.

Sportsmail revealed earlier this week that Leicester striker Vardy would be handed the opportunity to stake a claim for one of the wide roles in training this week. But Roy Hodgson and his staff are leaning towards Lallana for the crucial tie against Lars Lagerback’s team. The England manager has been keeping players guessing, trying out different options in the wide positions in training over the past two days, but there is a feeling that Lallana and Daniel Sturridge will flank lone striker Harry Kane against Iceland. England are set to keep the 4-1-2-3 system they have persisted with for the majority of the tournament. Those players who were culled from England’s starting XI in Saint-Etienne on Monday were said to be disappointed not to play, but Hodgson is poised to recall the majority of them. Indeed, Hodgson is set to name five of the six players he rested for the 0-0 draw against Slovakia, with Wayne Rooney, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Kane all set to start. Raheem Sterling is the only omission from the team who started the first two games, but the Manchester City attacker has impressed in training and could be Hodgson’s first choice from the bench if the match is not going to plan.