England U21 show eight changes for today’s European Championship clash with Germany.

With their place in the quarter-finals secured ahead of a showdown with Portgual on Sunday, Lee Carsley has rested several of his key players in Batumi this evening.

Only Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, West Ham right-back Ben Johnson and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke retaining their starting berths.

England head into the game full of confidence having yet to concede a single goal at the tournament with back-to-back wins over the Czech Republic and Israel.

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Top spot in Group C has been secured but England can yet make a further statement by beating the defending champions, who must win to avoid an early exit.

Carsley has rotated given England’s strong position with the only slight fitness concern having been Norwich defender Max Aarons, who is on the bench.

He missed the win over Israel through illness and was the only player heading into the game with an element of doubt.

Emile Smith Rowe and Anthony Gordon have been operating in a fluid frontline for the tournament so far but they are both rested as Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer plays as a recognised central option, with Jacob Ramsey handed the captain’s armband.

England U21 XI: Trafford; Johnson, Cresswell, Branthwaite, Thomas; Skipp, Elliott; Madueke, Palmer, Ramsey; Archer

Subs: Aarons, Colwill, Harwood-Bellis, Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe, Gordon, Griffiths, Garner, Jones, Doyle, Gomes, Rushworth