England starting line-up vs Slovakia: Rooney starts as No.10 as Serie A shot-stopper keeps spot

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England face Slovakia in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Sunday night, with Sam Allardyce taking charge of his first game as Three Lions boss.

Following on from their dismal showing at Euro 2016, England will hope to start a new era with a positive performance and result against Slovakia, who they faced in France in the group stage earlier this summer.

Allardyce has opted to make little change to his first starting line-up in competitive action, with Joe Hart keeping his place between the posts despite failing to start in the Premier League this season prior to his move to Torino ahead of the transfer deadline.

A familiar back four sit in front of him in Kyle Walker, John Stones, Gary Cahill and Danny Rose, with Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson providing the steel and defensive coverage in midfield.

While he announced that he will retire after the 2018 World Cup earlier this week, Wayne Rooney gets the nod as the No.10 in the side and will wear the captain’s armband as he looks to inspire England to better form, with Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana on the flanks while Harry Kane will lead the line.

Rooney will make history though as he will become England’s most capped outfield player with 116 appearances for his country as he looks to help kick-start the Allardyce era with an important victory as part of what is ultimately a familiar line-up consisting of a core group of players from Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

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