3 PLAYERS TO WATCH... IRAN

MEHDI TAREMI (PORTO), FORWARD

IRAN’S biggest threat and their outstanding player. The 30-year-old No 9 has scored and assisted goals at Porto since he was 20. Could play on the right of a three here, running on to knockdowns from target man Sardar Azmoun.

SAEID EZATOLAHI (VEJLE, DENMARK) MIDFIELDER

TALL, elegant defensive midfielder who plays with his head up, has time on the ball and links play. Never quite fulfilled his early promise after a season with Atletico Madrid as a youth player. Occasional tendency not to shift the ball fast enough, which England could capitalise on.

HOSSEIN KANANI (AL AHLI, QATAR) DEFENDER

A JOURNEYMAN who has never made the big leagues but has most potential to frustrate England, as the defensive pillar of a feisty and aggressive Iran. The 28-year-old, who plays for a Qatari club side, literally went nose-to-nose with Luis Suarez in the recent 1-0 friendly win over Uruguay.