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England v Greece: What to watch out for

Will Cole Palmer start? How will John Stones fare as captain?

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Lee Carsley

England face Greece at Wembley on Thursday night (19:45 BST) – but what is there to keep an eye on?

Both sides have won two games out of two in the Nations League so far, with the winners of Group B2 gaining promotion.

It could be a big game for Carsley and his future hopes.

Who will play in attack?

Captain Harry Kane is not fit to start the game for England, with the striker picking up an injury playing for Bayern Munich.

“Harry is nursing an injury – a small knock, something we won’t take a chance with,” said Carsley.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke are the two obvious choices to lead the line, while reports on Thursday suggest Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham coud be deployed up front.

Tributes to Baldock

Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock – who won 12 caps for Greece – died at the age of just 31 on Wednesday.

His death will be marked at Wembley.

The Football Association confirmed there would be a period of silence before the game, and that players of both sides would wear black armbands.

The FA confirmed tributes would also be paid pre-match to Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, who died last week aged 79.

The Greece national team said in a statement: “With profound sadness and sorrow, the national team and the Greek Football Federation bid farewell to George Baldock.

“There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the unexpected loss of one of our own, young, man. The moment forces silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family.”

Another test for Carsley

Carsley, 50, has won both games since taking charge of England following the resignation of Gareth Southgate.

He remains the favourite to be given the job full time but this is his biggest test so far.

Will he pick in-form Chelsea man Cole Palmer? He has named John Stones as his captain for the game.

team-mate John Stones will lead England out as captain for the first time on the night of his 82nd cap.

“It was a great conversation that I was able to have with John last night, to have that responsibility to ask him to captain the team,” Carsley said.

“It’s a brilliant achievement for John. Something that he deserves – the amount of caps he’s got, the experience he’s got, the level of professionalism that he shows within the squad, the example he is to the younger players.

“It was a great conversation to have.”

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Picture of Tom Rostance

Tom Rostance

Tom has been writing about football - and other sports - for almost 20 years. He has covered four summer Olympics and many, many, many football matches from the World Cup final to the bottom of the EFL.

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