Lee Carsley set to spring surprise with first England starting XI against Ireland

Harry Maguire missed Euro 2024 with injury (Photo: Getty)

Harry Maguire is set for a surprise start in Lee Carsley’s first game as England manager when they take on the Republic of Ireland.

The Three Lions travel to Dublin on Saturday evening for a Nations League clash – their first game since the Euro 2024 final loss and the resignation of Gareth Southgate.

Former England U21s boss Carsley has been named interim manager for the Autumn fixtures and if all goes well it is expected that he will get the job on a permanent basis.

The 50-year-old has a very different tactical mindset to Southgate and has already rung the changes, calling up four uncapped players to his first squad.

And if reports are to be believed, his first starting XI is set to feature at least five changes from the side that started the final defeat to Spain.

Some of these are of course enforced with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Luke Shaw out injured, while Kyle Walker was omitted from the squad.

The Athletic say that in their place Jack Grealish, Levi Colwill and Trent Alexander-Arnold will start, the former two having been left out of the Euros squad.

Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire are set to start against Ireland (Photo: Getty)

As the only left-footed defender in the squad, Colwill will fill in at left-back, while Marc Guehi will retain his place at the heart of the defence following his excellent performances in Germany.

But, in a somewhat surprising decision, his centre-back partner will not be John Stones as expected but rather Maguire who is back in the Three Lions team after missing the Euros through injury.

While a stalwart under Southgate, Maguire often became a target for fans and pundits amid dismal performances for Manchester United, and Guehi and Stones appeared to be way ahead of anyone else in the pecking order.

The 31-year-old has not started the season in good form either, with a poor performance in the defeat against Brighton leading him to be dropped for the big clash against Liverpool last Sunday.

It should be said that Maguire has scarcely let down his country when called upon and his experience should help the younger Lions as they begin their international careers.

Skipper Harry Kane is also expected to start up top and win his 99th Three Lions cap.

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