IF HE HAD BEEN HOOKED AT HALF-TIME AGAINST THE WELSH... NOT EVEN RASH WOULD HAVE HAD TOO MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT

HERE’S a thing. Had Marcus Rashford been hooked at half-time of Wales versus England, there could have been few complaints, not even from the player himself.

Of course, the Manchester United striker more than atoned for his haphazard 45 minutes by striking twice after the break.

But without being too harsh on Danny Ward, the Wales keeper could be held to account for both Rashford goals.

The set-piece was a nice hit, but went half a yard inside the post at a nice saveable height and you all saw the nutmegged second.

That is not to undervalue Rashford’s impact, nor his match-winning role, and he clearly has momentum going into the knockout stage.

But it was only 10 days ago when Bukayo Saka – England’s current Player of the Year, by the way – was seemingly making himself undroppable after a stellar performance against Iran.

No matter what some characters filling radio phone-in airtime might say, the man who is undroppable is Harry Kane. So, essentially, Gareth Southgate is in a situation where he has to choose two from four to start either side of his captain against Senegal.

That is two from Saka, Rashford (being denied by Ward, above, right), Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden. Even aside from his goal, Foden (above, left, with Saka) did enough against Wales to make himself an almost certain inclusion for Sunday’s match. Which leaves Sterling, Saka and Rashford.

Sterling was a Southgate staple at both Russia 2018, where the only game he did not start was a group stage dead-rubber against Belgium, and at the Euros, where he started every game. It is undeniable that the Chelsea attacker is not in his richest vein of form, but he knows what it takes to perform in these big games.

Saka IS in a rich vein of form and can probably offer more defensive cover than Rashford can.

It goes without saying it is a very good dilemma for boss Southgate to have, as I am sure he will stress when he next speaks to the media.

It shows the strength in depth of this England squad and, in these days, football at this level has become a 16-man game. Whoever Southgate chooses to start, he will have at least two great attacking options to use – and don’t forget Jack Grealish – as the match progresses.

Football substitutes are now becoming similar to rugby’s ‘finishers’ – especially as the average game out here is lasting about two hours – so whoever Southgate selects from the off, there should be no great furore.

But while the weight of popular opinion would seem to be in favour of Rashford starting, he should not be an automatic choice on the back of a game-sealing display against a Wales team whose bodies and spirit were broken.

Loyalty should not be a deciding factor, but Sterling has rarely let Southgate down and the combination with Kane and Foden should trouble any team.

If Southgate sticks with Rashford, fine. Mentally and physically – although maybe not technically – he is flying.

But he is NOT undroppable.

It goes without saying it is a very good dilemma for Southgate to have