Gareth Southgate is considering dropping Raheem Sterling against Panama, judging by a note spotted at England training.
England’s players returned from a recovery day with a full session on Thursday morning, when a photograph of a note carried by assistant manager Steve Holland was leaked to reporters.
It showed a plan to play in 3-5-2 formation against Panama, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield following Dele Alli’s slight thigh strain – a player whose name was spelt ‘Ali’ on the sheet in the medical section.
1:47 Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett is in Repino where a photographer may have had a sneak preview of England's starting line-up against Panama
Alli missed the session because of the injury he picked up against Tunisia.
Marcus Rashford’s name, rather than Sterling, was pictured on the note playing in the front two alongside captain Harry Kane.
Southgate, who took charge of the training session despite his dislocated shoulder, made Sterling his first change of the tournament when bringing on Rashford in the 68th minute against Tunisia on Monday.
Loftus-Cheek would make his first competitive start for England should he be selected on Sunday. Sky sources understand the Chelsea youngster is a well liked member of the squad and there will be many in the camp happy to see him get a chance.
There is a feeling he has improved while on loan at Crystal Palace and is well suited to Southgate’s preferred system.
The FA have so far declined to comment on the leaked note.
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