‘Leaked’ England team news v Malta as major calls made on Newcastle United, Liverpool, Man Utd & Arsenal men

Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier is set to start for England in their Euro 2024 qualifier in Malta on Friday night - in a move that will reportedly bring a new role for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Magpies full-back has been a firm favourite of Southgate’s during his seven-year reign in charge of the Three Lions, with Trippier earning all of his 41 caps under the former Middlesbrough manager. The respect between the duo is clearly mutual after the United star urged Southgate not to step down ahead of his side’s World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of France.

He said: “Gareth has a contract for two more years. We all love Gareth. Gareth is a fantastic manager. Although I’m sure Gareth is - and certainly we are - focused on facing France, we are 100 per cent behind Gareth. 100 per cent.”

Southgate will retain faith with Trippier in his usual right-back position as his side continue their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with a game at Malta on Friday night - and that will reportedly lead to a new role for Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. The talented wing-back has been used in a hybrid midfield role by Reds manager Jurgen Klopp in recent months and that move could make a transition into international football according to reports.

The Liverpool man has still started games at right back but moved into centre midfield in possession and asked whether he would use the Reds star in his midfield, Southgate responded: “Well, let’s see! You know that I think he is more than capable of playing there and it can be really exciting.

“If we were to do that, we would not be expecting perfection because there is a lot to learn, particularly without the ball. It is different areas of the pitch. With the ball, that is a more straightforward transition for him now. He has been playing there a little bit more for his club so it is something for us to consider, definitely.”

The report also suggests none of Manchester City’s England contingent will feature as the likes of Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and John Stones are given additional time to recover from their side’s treble-winning season. Jordan Pickford will retain his place in goal and Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford are expected to act as lead support to striker and captain Harry Kane. Southgate is facing a dilemma at the heart of his defence as he selects from two of Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire and Tyrone Mings.

Predicted England line-up (4-3-3): Pickford; Trippier, Mings, Maguire, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Gallagher; Saka, Kane, Rashford.