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France manager Didier Deschamps on England manager Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate will be able to select an unchanged team when England face France in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. The Three Lions boss has been boosted by welcome returnees in training ahead of the mammoth clash against the reigning champions at Al Bayt Stadium.
Declan Rice sparked concern earlier this week when he missed Wednesday's training session through illness, just three days before the showdown with France. Meanwhile, doubts loomed over Raheem Sterling's availability after he returned to England after his family home was robbed.
However, Rice has trained fully since Wednesday and is in contention to start against Les Bleus in Qatar. The 23-year-old has been an indispensable part of Southgate's plans in the last two major tournaments, so his availability will come as a significant relief.
Sterling has also travelled back to the Middle East after missing England's 3-0 win over Senegal in the last 16 to deal with his family matter. However, he is unlikely to feature after two long flights and a lack of training in the past week, even if he believes he's ready to make an impact off the bench.
England boss Gareth Southgate is likely to name an unchanged XI vs France. (Image: GETTY)
Southgate has resorted to a back five in big games in his two previous tournaments in charge of England. However, his side has reaped to rewards of a more attacking approach at the 2022 World Cup, scoring 12 goals, conceding just twice, and keeping three clean sheets in four games so far.
France present a level up in opposition, but the Three Lions will be confident of bringing the fight to Kylian Mbappe and co and continuing in the same vein. Southgate is expected to name an unchanged lineup from the dominant victory over Senegal, with Rice starting in a midfield three with Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham.
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Declan Rice is back in England training after an illness scare. (Image: Getty)
He has heavily relied on Sterling in tournaments prior, but Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have all shone brightly in Qatar. There is confidence that, alongside captain Harry Kane, they will provide enough firepower to guide England to World Cup glory.
But Sterling and Jack Grealish are other options not to be snuffed at, and Southgate is bound to look at them both if England need a goal against France this weekend.