England vs Senegal LIVE: World Cup 2022 team news, starting 11 and latest with Saka in and Sterling out

Michael Jones

December 4, 2022 at 12:33 p.m.·47 min read

England face Senegal in a World Cup last-16 clash tonight in Qatar. After finishing top of Group B to qualify for the knockout stages, England’s bid to win the World Cup starts to get serious with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. England had to endure penalties as they beat Colombia at this stage in Russia four years ago, and Gareth Southgate will be hoping there is less tension tonight against Senegal.

In what has been a wildly unpredictable World Cup so far, England’s path to the last 16 was rather more serene than some of the other tournament contenders. Despite the boos that followed the goalless draw with the USA, England thrashed both Iran and Wales and finished the group stage as the tournament’s top scorers. Marcus Rashford’s double against Wales has given Southgate a selection headache, with Phil Foden also pushing for another start against Senegal.

This is England’s first meeting with Senegal, who remain a threat despite the absence of injured star Sadio Mane. Senegal are the champions of Africa and reached the last 16 by defeating Ecuador in a crunch clash in Group A. Aliou Cisse’s side are experienced and know how to deliver on the big stage, while the Lions of Teranga will be motivated by the chance to become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the second time.

Follow all the build-up to England vs Senegal and latest World Cup news with our live blog below:

England vs Senegal World Cup 2022 latest updates

England take on Senegal in the 2022 World Cup last-16
Kick-off is 7pm GMT at Al Bayt Stadium (ITV, FS1 and Telemundo)
Three Lions enter knockout stage after finishing top of Group B and scoring nine goals
England boss Southgate faces selection headache with Saka and Foden set to start

Sterling not available for England

17:35 , Michael Jones

News is filtering through that Raheem Sterling won’t be available to feature for England this evening as he is dealing with a personal family matter.

His absence is a big loss for the Three Lions but they have plenty of attacking talent in the squad to compensate.

Rashford to start on the bench for England?

17:31 , Michael Jones

England are taking on Senegal for the first time ever in competitive football with a quarter-final place against France on the line.

The team news is expected out shortly with rumours circulating that Gareth Southgate is going to leave Marcus Rashford on the bench.

Rashford is England’s leading goalscorer having scored three goals so far in the competition.

Ready 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/GxyqggIN08
— England (@England) December 4, 2022

The problem with England’s greatest strength? Senegal also have it

17:26 , Michael Jones

Almost every night throughout this World Cup, the England squad have gathered together in a huge TV room, to watch the games and discuss what they see. They don’t sit in cliques but rather as one big group, Jack Grealish often bouncing around between people. It has struck staff how so few ever spend time sitting in their rooms on the PlayStations and instead spend time together.

Brazil have most stood out for the players, and the general feeling is that if England are to actually win this World Cup then they will have to defeat Tite’s side. The squad had taken note of Senegal even before it was confirmed they would meet in the last 16, and their quality has been noted. England are expecting a robust challenge.

“We’ve all been watching every game so we have a slight understanding between us players of what they’re like, and I think they’ll be very athletic,” Jordan Henderson says. “Good players as well, and I think they’re quite high on confidence as a team, as they won the Africa Cup of Nations. They are used to winning.”

The problem with England’s greatest strength? Senegal also have it

Harry Kane insists he can hit form for England at right time in knockouts

17:21 , Michael Jones

England skipper Harry Kane is aiming to peak in time for the business end of World Cup 2022 having failed to score during the group stage.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker is just two goals away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s all-time national record but has yet to hit the back of the net in Qatar as he and his team-mates prepare to face Senegal in the last 16.

“I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals now, but I think the group stage has gone well,” Kane said, insisting he feels “fit and sharp”.

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

17:16 , Jamie Braidwood

The case for Bukayo Saka

Saka is another who, despite not featuring against Wales, has done nothing to deserve losing his place.

Two goals against Iran make him second only to Rashford among the squad for goals at this World Cup and, as a left-footed player comfortable with playing off the right, he is arguably the only option that fits Southgate’s preferred profile in that position. That helped the Arsenal winger get the nod over Foden for England’s two opening games.

His diligent work out of possession is another plus, especially given that Senegal’s attack will flow through left-winger Ismaila Sarr. If Southgate decides against risking Kyle Walker’s fitness up against Sarr and instead selects Kieran Trippier, Saka would offer added security over Foden or Rashford.

Saka’s only problem is that he is not Foden or Rashford, in that he would not be coming into the game off the back of a goalscoring performance. Again, it depends on how much stock Southgate puts on that second-half performance against Wales. He has not been a manager swayed by his team’s most recent showing in the past.

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

17:07 , Jamie Braidwood

The case for Phil Foden

The clamour for Foden to start reached fever pitch after the goalless draw with the United States. Southgate was always likely to rotate against Wales anyway but Foden got his start and got his goal – only the third of his international career, his first since a brace on his debut. As with Rashford, Southgate will need his reasons if the Manchester City youngster’s spell in the starting line-up is only a short one.

If there is a case against Foden, it is that he has rarely looked comfortable cutting inside from the right wing, a position that he only seldom plays at City. Foden himself admitted at the start of this tournament that England have seen nothing like the best of him. If he needs to play on the left of the attacking three in order to produce, he faces competition from both Sterling and Rashford.

Of all Southgate’s attacking options, Foden has the greatest versatility to drop into midfield and sees himself playing in that position one day. Yet Southgate is reluctant to start him there, agreeing with Pep Guardiola that there are elements of his game out of possession that have to improve before he can be consistently relied upon in a more central role.

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

16:57 , Jamie Braidwood

The case for Marcus Rashford

Three goals in just 108 minutes at this World Cup is as good an argument as any for Rashford to start. The Manchester United forward is England’s in-form player after his match-winning display against Wales and, having rebuilt his international career after nearly 18 months of exile, Southgate will need a convincing argument to send Rashford back on the substitutes bench against Senegal.

The biggest question mark over Rashford is whether Sunday’s last-16 clash will suit his style of play. The 25-year-old was struggling to make an impact in England’s final group outing until his spectacular free kick changed the pattern of the game, forcing Wales up the pitch and creating the space in behind in which he can thrive. Rashford is at his best when a game is stretched.

As Sterling’s main rival for the left-wing role, Southgate may decide not only to count on the Chelsea winger’s greater experience but also his superior link-up play and ability to play through low blocks. It would be harsh on a player who could not have done more to retain his spot in the line-up. Rashford might have to hope that his goals are compelling enough a reason to keep his spot.

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

16:47 , Jamie Braidwood

The case for starting Raheem Sterling

For the most part during Southgate’s reign, it has been Sterling and Kane in the attack plus one other. Together, the pair are responsible for a third of the goals scored under Southgate and theirs is a symbiotic relationship. Sterling’s seven assists for Kane is the most any England player has provided for another this century. Kane – increasingly more of a creator – returned the favour against Iran, setting up Sterling for England’s second.

Whenever Sterling’s importance to England is questioned, he seems to serve up a reminder of why he has consistently held down a starting place. At Euro 2020, as momentum was building behind the other attacking options at Southgate’s disposal, he was England’s outstanding performer and one of the players of the tournament. Sterling has already scored at this World Cup from a game and a half’s worth of minutes. That’s hardly just cause to be dropped.

Yet that goal against Iran was only his second in 15 games for club and country. There are caveats to his lack of form – his change of club, the club’s change of manager and sometimes a change of position to left wing-back under Graham Potter – and it is nothing that Sterling has not come through before. Southgate’s faith in Sterling is total as one of the leading figures of his time in charge but a recent lack of consistency in front of goal weakens his case to start.

16:30 , Ben Burrows

When people occasionally talk about this being the deepest talent pool of English players in a generation or more, they are often talking about the attack. Other areas of Gareth Southgate’s squad are a little light on established and trusted quality behind the regular starters. There are players who cannot easily be replaced at left-back, in the centre of defence, in midfield and at centre-forward.

That is not the case in the wide attacking positions. Southgate has a number of options to choose from in the roles either side of Harry Kane, ranging from the experienced to the inexperienced, from the explosive goalscorers to the intricate playmakers, from those in their prime to those with untapped potential.

It is no coincidence that whenever there is a clamour for a certain player to start, they usually play in these positions. It happened with Jack Grealish at last year’s European Championship, then with Phil Foden during the group stages of this World Cup, and eyebrows will now be raised if Marcus Rashford loses his place after his excellent start in Qatar.

When selecting who plays wide in the attack, whatever the system, Southgate has tended to follow a simple rule of having a left-footed player on the right and a right-footed player on the left. Yet even that changed at the start of the second half against Wales though, with Foden and Rashford reverting to their natural sides, and this arguably helped turn a goalless stalemate into a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Ahead of Sunday’s last-16 tie against Senegal, Southgate arguably has the closest selection call that he has ever had to make at a major tournament, with five viable contenders to start but only two positions to fill. Each has fors and againsts, pros and cons, and different strengths and weaknesses that may or may not suit the task at hand in Sunday’s evening kick-off.

With only few hours until kick-off, Mark Critchley assesses the decisions that Southgate has been pondering over the last few days:

Gareth Southgate has his closest selection call yet for England against Senegal

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

16:16 , Ben Burrows

Defeat for England tonight would be seen as a failure given the squad at Gareth Southgate’s disposal.

Having taken the nation to the semi-finals in Russia and the final of Euro 2020, he came under pressure for the first time during a winless run of six Nations League fixtures earlier this year.

Southgate’s contract runs to 2024 but he may decide - or the decision may be taken - that a last-16 exit here would spell the end of a successful tenure.

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

16:05 , Ben Burrows

Gareth Southgate says his team are mentally and physically ready for another penalty shoot-out - and he would not hesitate to ask Marcus Rashford or Bukayo Saka to take a spot-kick at the World Cup.

The national team’s penalty problems down the years are well documented, with all three World Cup shoot-outs ending in defeat before a success at the expense of Colombia in Russia four years ago.

England followed that by winning bronze on spot-kicks at the Nations League finals against Switzerland in 2019, only for penalties to prove their undoing in last year’s European Championship final.

Jadon Sancho, Rashford and Saka failed with their attempts in a heart-breaking loss that Southgate is confident the team have learned from ahead of Sunday’s last-16 clash against Senegal.

“Well, like every other aspect of our game, we’re prepared and we’ve had a process that we’ve followed,” said the England boss, who missed his penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final defeat to Germany.

“We’ve had three shoot-outs, we’ve won two, so inevitably the one that you don’t get over the line you reflect and you think about how you can improve those processes.

“We’ve done that over the last few months, in particular, but of course, there is so many other aspects to the game that we’ve got to get right.

“We’re aiming to win the game and to avoid extra-time if you can, and to avoid penalties if you can, because you’d like to get a victory in 90 minutes.

“But if we need to go 120 minutes, if we need to go beyond that, then we’ve got to be ready for that mentally and physically. And I believe we are.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

15:45 , Ben Burrows

Some housekeeping as England’s last-16 tie with Senegal hurtles ever closer.

In the UK, viewers will be able to watch the game on ITV1 on TV and ITVX online with coverage starting at 6pm.

For those in the US, the match will be broadcast on FS1 in English and in Spanish on Telemundo.

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

15:30 , Ben Burrows

After finishing top of Group B to qualify for the knockout stages, England’s bid to win the World Cup starts to get serious with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

England had to endure penalties as they beat Colombia at this stage in Russia four years ago, and Gareth Southgate will be hoping there is less tension tonight against Senegal.

In what has been a wildly unpredictable World Cup so far, England’s path to the last 16 was rather more serene than some of the other tournament contenders.

Despite the boos that followed the goalless draw with the USA, England thrashed both Iran and Wales and finished the group stage as the tournament’s top scorers. Marcus Rashford’s double against Wales has given Southgate a selection headache, with Phil Foden also pushing for another start against Senegal.

Here’s Miguel Delaney’s preview:

The problem with England’s greatest strength? Senegal also have it

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

15:15 , Ben Burrows

England are unbeaten against African teams in their 20 encounters but have never met Senegal, who were crowned African champions earlier this year.

Senegal also have several players who ply their trade in the Premier League and Championship, led by skipper Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who both play for Chelsea.

“We’ve been very impressed. We know that they’re African champions - very proud, great competitive spirit, a lot of belief in the team,” Gareth Southgate said.

“They have some excellent individual players who can cause problems - a good structure to the team as well. So I think Aliou has done a fantastic job.

“They were very unlucky not to qualify from the group in Russia (in 2018) and they’ve deservedly done it this time so we know exactly the size of the task ahead of us.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

15:02 , Ben Burrows

Declan Rice believes England’s “world-class” squad deserve to be feared at the World Cup.

Gareth Southgate’s side face Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday evening having progressed as winners of Group B.

While a goalless draw against the United States earned the England boss criticism from some quarters, the attacking intent in a 6-2 victory over Iran and a 3-0 win against Wales has caught the eye.

Marcus Rashford’s brace in the Wales game took him onto three in the tournament - level with the leaders in the race for the golden boot - while Bukayo Saka has two goals and both Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling have one apiece.

Captain Harry Kane is yet to get off the mark but has provided three assists and Southgate’s embarrassment of riches in attacking positions could prove the difference.

“I think it’s top, top level,” West Ham skipper Rice said of the England squad in Qatar. “It’s always nice to know you can bring players off the bench who can instantly change the game.

“Whether we’re drawing 0-0 and need a freshen up up front, or we need a change in legs in midfield, or even at the back, we’ve got players that are world class that can come on and change the game instantly.

“Throughout a World Cup you’re going to need that quality. So I think it ranks really high among other squads in the tournament.

“Why should we not be feared? I think other nations will always look at us and think about the quality we’ve got in the squad. If you look at our attacking players, there are world class, unbelievable talents across the board. Across the whole team.

“There are players who have played in the biggest games, won the biggest trophies. We are one of the biggest teams here.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

14:47 , Ben Burrows

Senegal will fear none of the England players they face in the last 16 of the World Cup, according to former Liverpool and Bolton striker El Hadji Diouf.

The 41 year-old has an advisory and ambassadorial role with Senegal, having been a member of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup.

They famously beat holders France in the opening game before going on to lose to Turkey in the last eight, with current manager Aliou Cisse also part of the team.

Now, having progressed as runners-up behind the Netherlands in Group A - seeing off Ecuador and hosts Qatar to do so - Senegal come up against Gareth Southgate’s England on Sunday.

While England will be the favourites, Diouf - who spent 12 years playing in the United Kingdom, also taking in spells at Sunderland, Blackburn, Rangers, Doncaster and Leeds - insists Senegal will fancy their chances.

“Definitely no one,” he replied when asked which England players will be feared. “We have good players, they have good players and on the pitch it is 11 v 11 and you are fighting for your country.

“We are not here to say we are going to win the World Cup but we want to show the world we have the best goalkeeper in Edouard Mendy, one of the best defenders (Kalidou Koulibaly) and the best young players coming up.

“Of course, all the time in my life I wanted to play against England but it never happened. They have a chance to play against England, most of them live there and they want to show how good they are.

“If you are talking about one of the best players we have Ismaila Sarr, he is playing in the Championship but he is a Premier League player.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

14:30 , Ben Burrows

England were criticised after their goalless draw with the United States but advanced as Group B winners following convincing wins over Iran and Wales.

With the likes of Belgium - ranked second in the world - and Germany crashing out at the group stage, Stones does not want to see the current England crop come up short as they carry the hopes of a nation.

“I think it’s always difficult when you see big teams or big players in teams that don’t have the success that you want or don’t live up to the expectation of a nation or where they see themselves,” he added.

“We don’t ever want to fall into that category. I think that is great motivation for us as a reminder - you never want to take anything for granted or who you are playing against.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

14:15 , Ben Burrows

John Stones is proud of the way England defensive partner Harry Maguire has drowned out the noise over his poor form to shine at the World Cup.

Maguire has endured a tough start to the Premier League season and the Manchester United skipper found himself out of the side at Old Trafford in the weeks leading up to the finals.

Even his place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad was questioned in some quarters but the England boss insists Maguire remains one of his best players.

Stones has always had Maguire’s back - the pair having first played against one another at the age of nine - and previously spoke about how they exchange texts with their friendship crossing the Manchester divide.

Maguire has been in fine form in England’s opening three games and Stones hailed the performances of the 29 year-old.

“I think right from the first game the best response is what he’s been doing,” the Manchester City centre-back said.

“All three games that he’s played in have been terrific and it’s about us finding that partnership again, whoever we play with, and I think we have done in these three games.

“Now it’s time to keep building, keeping improving and that’s great credit to him. I spoke at length on Harry before and there were lots of questions I got asked.

“Playing with someone for so many games at England, been through so many moments with him, knowing what he’s been going through at his club as well and the person that he is, I think it speaks volumes about him to come through that and still believe in himself like I believe in him, like all the team believes in him, his team-mates at United believe in him.

“I think there’s been a lot of noise from the outside which he has not listened to and tried to improve himself, better himself.

“He’s come into this tournament and hit the ground running, and that is great credit to him.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

14:00 , Ben Burrows

Some big match stats for as we continue our build-up to tonight’s game.

After Marcus Rashford’s second goal in their 3-0 win over Wales, England became the seventh team to reach the milestone of 100 World Cup goals after Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France and Spain.
Senegal have reached the World Cup knockout stage for the second time. Their previous last 16 appearance came in 2002, when coach Aliou Cisse was captain.
England are unbeaten against African opposition in all 21 meetings. At the World Cup, they have won three and drawn three times against teams from Africa.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Marcus Rashford scored twice for England (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

13:44 , Ben Burrows

England and Southgate’s confidence is borne out of the success at last year’s Euros and the surprising run to the World Cup semi-finals four years ago.

“I guess the biggest thing is the expectation levels and the satisfaction levels,” Southgate said of the difference to 2018. “In Russia, when we qualified from the group stage, we were probably more excited than we were this time.

“Although we enjoyed the win against Wales. You’ve got to enjoy your wins because, if you don’t enjoy those, then there’s not a lot of point being in this, frankly.

“And then, of course, everything was geared around first knockout win for 10 years, so that was almost our objective in Russia.

“We have to take a step at a time, the same thing. We talked about that from the beginning of the tournament. Our first objective was to qualify from the group. We knew we had three games to do that.

“There was an awful lot of noise after our second, but we stayed calm and on track, and we’ve qualified as well as anybody else has. But we’re now on to the more important part of the competition and we’ve got to get this bit right as well.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

13:25 , Ben Burrows

Gareth Southgate is embracing the increased expectations, selection headaches and chance to put smiles on supporters’ faces at a challenging time as England face Senegal in the World Cup last-16.

All eyes will be on cavernous Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday evening as the Group B winners play their first knockout match on the world stage since the agonising extra-time semi-final loss to Croatia in 2018.

England built on that performance by winning bronze at the following year’s Nations League before going on a memorable run to last year’s European Championship final at Wembley.

The heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat to Italy provides added motivation for Southgate’s players, who have the chance to lift the nation at what is a challenging time for so many.

“Part of the reason for doing the job is to bring happiness to others, frankly,” the England boss said. “Of course, we’ve got our own pride and we want to achieve professionally.

“But we have taken the country on two incredible journeys and you can feel that there’s the potential for another one and we want that to happen.

“We recognise the situation at home for everybody and we want to bring smiles to people’s faces as they get towards the end of this weekend.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

13:05 , Ben Burrows

Gareth Southgate has his closest selection call yet for England against Senegal

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

12:44 , Ben Burrows

Jordan Henderson is harnessing the pain of England’s near misses in their winter quest for glory in Qatar, where the vice-captain’s sole focus is on Senegal rather than a potential clash with World Cup holders France.

Gareth Southgate’s men won Group B in Qatar, where the superb 6-2 shellacking of Iran and 3-0 win against neighbours Wales bookended the 0-0 stalemate with the United States.

The reward is Sunday’s last-16 clash with Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium, where England hope to return for both the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

Many fans are already looking ahead to a last-eight date with France given they are expected to progress past Poland, but there is no chance of the team thinking like that.

“Well, I don’t think that will be a danger for us as a team because we know any World Cup game, whether group stage, qualifiers, knockout stages like we are in now, it will be really tough,” Henderson said.

“Different challenges, different players, it always will be really, really tough, especially against a team who are African champions and a very, very good team in their own right.

“Yes, we can say they’re missing Sadio Mane, who is a huge player for them and an amazing player for any team, really.

“But they’ve got into the knockout stages without him, and they will be feeling confident, feeling good and they are used to winning, so they will be a really, really dangerous side for us to play.

“If we want to progress we need to be at 100 per cent, like we were the other night and give absolutely everything and be really good with the ball but also really good without the ball.

“And, if we are, and the energy and intensity levels are right then we have a good chance of winning.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

12:23 , Ben Burrows

Harry Maguire dropped to the bench after Manchester United’s first two matches of the season and has only made limited appearances since then due to injury and competition for places.

But the 29-year-old defender has performed excellently in Qatar and is looking to score his first goal of the tournament in Sunday’s last-16 clash with Senegal.

“I don’t feel like a goal is going to close a chapter, I think playing well is going to close the chapter,” said Maguire, who scored in England’s quarter-finals wins at the 2018 World Cup and last year’s Euros.

“I’m in good form. I’m really happy with how the group stages has gone. Actually, in the last few games for Manchester United I’ve played well in them, won both my last two games against West Ham and Aston Villa.

“But I’ve just found myself out with a team due to the centre-backs there playing well and they’re excellent players.

“We have a good strength in depth in that central defence at my club, but I’m going to fight to get back into the team because I don’t like not playing.

“But, yeah, of course talking about goals, I’ve scored in 2018, I’ve scored in the Euros and they were both in the knockout stages.

“So, fingers crossed I can get one in in this World Cup and help the team win the game because that’s the most important thing.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

12:02 , Ben Burrows

After finishing top of Group B to qualify for the knockout stages, England’s bid to win the World Cup starts to get serious with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

England had to endure penalties as they beat Colombia at this stage in Russia four years ago, and Gareth Southgate will be hoping there is less tension tonight against Senegal.

In what has been a wildly unpredictable World Cup so far, England’s path to the last 16 was rather more serene than some of the other tournament contenders.

Here’s Miguel Delaney’s preview:

The problem with England’s greatest strength? Senegal also have it

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

11:35 , Ben Burrows

Harry Maguire has praised England’s Marcus Rashford for the way he has roared back to form and says his talented Manchester United team-mate has the potential to become one of the world’s best.

The 25-year-old ended the World Cup group stage as the competition’s joint top-scorer, having netted three goals in as many appearances as Gareth Southgate’s side topped Group B.

Rashford’s brilliant brace against Wales came after scoring straight off the bench against Iran - his first England appearance since missing his penalty in last year’s European Championship final shoot-out loss to Italy.

That heartache was compounded by sickening racist abuse, shoulder surgery and poor form at United, but he has looked revitalised since Erik ten Hag arrived in the summer and is back in the England set-up.

Put to club captain Maguire that his team-mate could cap his eye-catching turnaround with the Golden Boot, the centre-back told Talksport: “Yeah, that’d be the dream.

“I’d pray for that because that means that we’re probably going to go far in the tournament and give ourselves the best opportunity to win the tournament.

“I’m really pleased for Marcus. I think he has so much talent that I don’t think he’ll ever reach what his talent can get to because he’s so talented that he could be one of the best in the world and I think he’s got to push and strive for that.

“But at the moment, over the last year or so it’s not just Marcus at Manchester United. We had a difficult year as a group and it affects people as individuals.

“This year he is playing with a lot more freedom, he’s playing with a big smile on his face and, yeah, we speak about him getting back to his best and I’m sure he will do.

“I think you’ve seen in glimpses this year he’s becoming a lot more consistent with his goals and his assists, and he effects games. I think that’s the biggest thing with Marcus in the team, he effects games.

“He’s always a goal threat, he’s always having chances. When you look at the chances created in a game, a lot of the chances fall to Marcus and that’s down to his movement and his clever play.

“He’s a very talented boy and I’m really pleased that he’s back on track and I’m sure there’s much more to come from him.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

11:10 , Ben Burrows

Southgate spoke glowingly about Senegal, a side without star turn Sadio Mane through injury but buoyed by February’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

“Sadio is obviously an incredible player and every team would want to have him,” the England boss said. “But what we’ve seen from the team of Senegal, they’ve become very strong in his absence. And they have shown great spirit through losing him.

“So we know it doesn’t make a difference to the level of the fixture for tomorrow. We’ve got to be prepared for the game and we’ve got to be at our very best to be able to win the game.”

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

10:50 , Ben Burrows

Southgate said penalty takers would depend on who is on the pitch at the time at a World Cup where England have used a skills net to practice hitting the corners.

Technique and mindset are key in striking a spot-kick, as well as saving them.

Jordan Pickford saved a spot-kick against Colombia in Moscow in 2018 and Switzerland the following year, before saving two of Italy’s efforts last summer.

“There was Paul Cooper,” said Southgate, mentioning the former Ipswich shot-stopper when asked if has ever known anyone as good at saving penalties.

“We were watching his technique the other day - it was bizarre, looking back at it.

“He’s been exceptional in the shoot-outs we’ve had and that also gives you confidence.

“You know that he’s highly likely to save at least one, if not more. When your goalkeeper can do that, it’s a huge boost to the rest of the team.

“I don’t know if he is statistically better or worse than others, but he definitely has been excellent in the shoot-outs that we’ve had.”

Who are England’s best penalty takers?

World Cup 2022: England vs Senegal

10:33 , Ben Burrows