England Coach Names One Player Who Will Definitely Start Against Nigeria

Published: June 01, 2018

Manchester United's England midfielder Jesse Lingard will pick up his eleventh England cap when they face Nigeria in an international friendly on Saturday evening.

Speaking at ongoing press conference on Friday afternoon, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has stressed that Lingard was not vying for a first team spot with Tottenham Hotspur star of Nigerian descent Dele Alli.

''I don't see it as a straight contest between any individual, absolutely they could play together," Southgate told reporters.

"All of our attacking players have different attributes or strengths. Jesse is a fantastic player at recognizing the space, working away from the ball, a great link between midfield and attack.''

Warrington-born Jesse Lingard had represented England U17 and U21 national teams prior to his first cap for the senior team against Malta in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in October 2016.

The 25-year-old netted the Three Lions winner against the Netherlands in March 2018.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : twitter.com/JesseLingard