Football
ESPN staff 8y

Wayne Rooney to start England group finale vs. Slovakia on bench - reports

Wayne Rooney is expected to begin England's Euro 2016 Group B finale against Slovakia from the bench, multiple outlets are reporting.

According to the reports, Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson will make six notable changes to the XI that started in the team's 2-1 defeat of Wales on Thursday in Lens.

The Manchester United star is set to be rested as Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson takes his place in the England midfield, while Dele Alli will make way for Arsenal's Jack Wilshere.

Full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose will also start from the bench as Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand will be given their chance to impress.

And up front, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge are to replace Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling after the Leicester City and Liverpool strikers emerged from the bench to score both goals in Thursday's comeback win against Wales.

A win against Slovakia in St. Etienne will guarantee England qualify as Group B leaders, which means a knockout round matchup with one of the third-placed finishers.

Despite the reports, Hodgson was coy about his lineup when speaking at his Sunday news conference.

"It wouldn't be a problem if I wanted to keep the same side, but there are players who would like to play and have been knocking on the door to play," Hodgson said.

"I have the option because everyone is anxious to show what they want to do. It's a question of what we'd like to do, rather than what is necessary."

England have four points from their first two group games thus far, beating Wales and drawing with Russia in the opener.

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