Three big questions for Gareth Southgate and England in Andorra

PA

England head to Andorra looking to maintain their unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign.

Gareth Southgate’s side should have few issues against the small Pyrenean nation, who have never scored against England.

Andorra proved pluckier than some anticipated in the reverse fixture last month with Southgate forced to turn to his bench to put the game away.

With England manager again expected to experimen, here are three questions to ponder ahead of the encounter at Estadi Nacional:

What was that about a pitch?

There is little to worry England against an Andorra side they should roll over, but the plastic pitch is certainly one concern.

Gareth Bale described it as the worst he had ever played on when Wales travelled to the Pyrenees in 2014.

While Southgate named a much-changed side for the fixture at Wembley, the surface may also come into his mind when picking his team.

Is it really worth risking Kane’s ankles in a match that England should win comfortably?

Can a rejuvenated, returning Fikayo Tomori earn a place at the back?

Fikayo Tomori went from pushing for a Euros spot to being bombed out of Chelsea.

In the meantime, he has rebuilt his career with AC Milan and is back in the fold, with the absence of Harry Maguire presenting him with his chance.

The Maguire-John Stones partnership is established, but a good season with Milan could see Tomori knocking on the door.

His displays have already earned the endorsement of Paolo Maldini, which says everything about the impression he has made.

Will late call-up James Ward-Prowse get a chance to stake a claim?

James Ward-Prowse was arguably the most unfortunate of England’s players to be left out of the squad for the Euros.

Action Images via Reuters

His set-piece delivery alone made him a valuable weapon, not to mention his all-round performances whenever pulling on an England shirt.

That it has taken the withdrawal of Kalvin Phillips to earn Ward-Prowse his recall points to how far he has slipped down the pecking order, but Southgate has proven during his reign that he is willing to give fresh chances.

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