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Raheem Sterling to keep England spot as Southgate opts against starting Rashford

England team news: Raheem Sterling to start against Panama
England team news: Raheem Sterling to start against Panama

Raheem Sterling will keep his place in the England line-up today, with Gareth Southgate only choosing to make one change for the clash with Panama.

Dele Alli misses out through injury and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be his replacement, but Sterling keeps his spot.

The Manchester City winger has struggled to make the same impact at international level as he has for City, failing to score in nearly three years, and a leaked teamsheet suggested he would be dropped for the game.

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But Southgate will keep faith with the 23-year-old and give him another chance as England take on the Group G minnows.

If Sterling can reproduce the form he showed for City throughout last season, he will undoubtedly be one of England’s best players at the tournament.

And there is plenty of pressure on him to do just that, with Marcus Rashford pushing hard for a place in the starting XI.