England team plans accidentally leaked: will Marcus Rashford replace Raheem Sterling?

Assistant manager Steve Holland was captured on camera holding a piece of paper revealing the line-up for the Panama match

England vs. Panama team news Gareth Southgate Steve Holland
England assistant manager Steve Holland with head coach Gareth Southgate
(Image credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

It could be a ploy to puzzle Panama but has assistant manager Steve Holland accidentally leaked the England team line-up for Sunday’s group G clash?

The paper showed an England line-up and formation with Marcus Rashford, not Raheem Sterling, up front with Harry Kane. While Ruben Loftus-Cheek was “selected” in place of Dele Alli, who missed training because of a thigh injury.

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The Daily Telegraph reports that England head coach Gareth Southgate had considered rotating his team for the Panama clash. If the pictured line-up is correct the leak “represents a blow for Southgate who likes to keep his team selections a closely guarded secret”, says the paper.

In the 2-1 victory against Tunisia, Sterling started in a front two with Kane but was replaced during the match by Rashford.

The Telegraph says that the Manchester City star was criticised for his performance against Tunisia and there have been “concerns over how dropping Sterling might affect his confidence”.

With ten minutes to go against Tunisia, Loftus-Cheek replaced Alli. He impressed as England secured the late win thanks to Kane’s 91st-minute goal.

Sunday’s match between England and Panama takes place at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium and kicks off at 1pm.