England team news: Predicted XI with Declan Rice included in new-look midfield

Rice has been included in Gareth Southgate’s squad after impressing for West Ham and could face the Czech Republic and Montenegro next week.

Rice, 20, played for Ireland three times before changing nationalities.

Rice is likely to be given a chance to show if he can translate club form on the national stage and should replace Eric Dier in the holding midfield role.

Dier is one of a number of players who has struggled for fitness this year but he has been included in the squad.

“His form warrants it,” Southgate said of Rice.

“We like what we’ve seen in terms of his personality, his character and his leadership qualities. He’ll fit very well into how we work.”

Harry Winks and Jesse Lingard have been left out with fitness concerns while Kieran Trippier is in despite his problems.

James Ward-Prowse is a surprise omission after his recent form.

Southgate added: ”We love Prowsey – this recent spell is his best since we capped him and he’s a world-class set-piece taker, but he’s only recently got back in the team at Southampton.”

Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford should be locked on to be the front three with Alli shifted deeper into midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Rice although Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley are battling for places.

Tom Heaton returns to the squad for the first time since the World Cup and could get a start with Jordan Pickford erratic in recent weeks.

Asked if Pickford was still guaranteed to be number one, Southgate said: “Jordan has played extremely well for us. You could look at any players across our squad and say at moments they’ve played well and at moments they’ve had difficult afternoons.

“There’s no question that was the case for Jordan at the weekend. I’m never keen to say this player is number one, because you’ve always got to have competition. We’re pleased with what’s Jordan done. Like everybody else, he has to train well and perform well.”