New England coach Sam Allardyce names squad that will face Slovakia in World Cup qualifier

New England coach Sam Allardyce [PHOTO: COURTESY]

England coach Sam Allardyce has named his line-up two days in advance so that the players can perfect his tactics during training

Allardyce's first England team is only three players different from former coach Hodgson's last one.

Now-Manchester City defender John Stones is the only player named to face Slovakia in Sunday's opening World Cup qualifier not to have also started at some stage during the Three Lions' disastrous campaign this summer.

In fact, new boss Allardyce has selected eight of the 11 players who began the humiliating defeat against Iceland in Nice 68 days ago in his team for the weekend clash.

Big Sam told the players his starting XI on Friday for the tough test awaiting them in their opening Group F fixture — the nations drew 0-0 during the group stage in France - and it features no major surprises.

Manchester city defender, Stones makes the team after not playing a single minute at the Euros this summer

There is no place for new call-up Michail Antonio or fellow midfielder Danny Drinkwater , who did not go to the Euros despite starring in Leicester’s Premier League title success.

Allardyce has also kept faith with Harry Kane , despite the Tottenham striker’s disastrous Euros under predecessor Roy Hodgson and subsequent disappointing start to the Premier League season.

Kane has just one goal in his last 11 appearances for club and country, so Allardyce’s show of faith will be a major confidence boost for the out-of-form centre-forward.

Kane keeps his place despite a lengthy goal drought for Spurs and England.

Captain Wayne Rooney will start in a No10 role behind Kane, Stones gets the nod at centre-back and his new Manchester City team-mate Raheem Sterling’s excellent early-season form is rewarded with a place in a 4-2-3-1 line-up.

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana goes straight in, despite being axed for the Iceland game, alongside club colleague Jordan Henderson.

Chris Smalling, Dele Alli and Daniel Sturridge are the three members of the starting XI against Iceland who miss out.

Allardyce has decided to reveal his team to the players well in advanace of the Slovakia game to allow them to work in training on formation and specific tactics.

It is a major departure from the days of Hodgson, who would often not name his team until the day before a match and would sometimes even keep the players guessing.

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