‘KNOCK OR NO KNOCK I CON ROAR AS LION’

CONOR GALLAGHER says he is fit to start at Wembley – and nothing was ever going to stop him. Gareth Southgate revealed the Chelsea midfielder (above, right) reported up with a knock, but says he immediately made it clear he was desperate to play. England boss Southgate loves Gallagher’s attitude and looks set to start him against Malta, as other injuries will force him into changes for Wembley and in North Macedonia next Monday.

Southgate said: “He has got tremendous drive. This week is a classic for me. He has come with a bit of a knock from the weekend, but he walked through the door saying, ‘It is a bit sore, but I will be fine for Friday’.

“There was no way he was going home, there was no way he wasn’t going to give himself every chance.

“He wasn’t able to train for the first few days, but he was determined he would be available and that, in a nutshell, is what is going to be one of his greatest strengths.

“That will allow himself to achieve everything he might in the game because his mentality is outstanding.

“Positionally, his best attributes lend himself to either attacking eight or pressing as a 10 as he did for his club at the weekend.

“His pressing is probably as good as anyone in the League. He regained and recovered so many balls and in the final third he has a goal in him. He hasn’t achieved that this season with his club, but we saw that with his spell at Crystal Palace and we saw that when he trained with us.

“So although, at times, he has played lower and can play lower, his best attributes are slightly higher as a midfield player, but his receiving skills and his passing lower, when he receives, have definitely improved as well.”