Football news - Callum Hudson-Odoi and Declan Rice to start for England against Montenegro - reports
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Updated 25/03/2019 at 14:53 GMT
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Declan Rice will be handed their full England debuts against Montenegro in the European Qualifiers on Monday night in Podgorica, according to reports.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
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Chelsea winger Hudson-Odoi impressed during a 20-minute cameo during England's 5-0 win over the Czech Republic on Friday, with his shot resulting in Tomas Kalas scoring an own goal to seal the rout.
Jadon Sancho is set to miss out after sustaining an unspecified injury, making way for his old friend Hudson-Odoi, while Jordan Henderson and Dele Alli are being assessed.
Hudson-Odoi admitted he was shocked when Gareth Southgate signalled for him to get ready to come, and his first full cap will represent the latest milestone in his development.
At 18 years and 135 days, the Chelsea forward became England's youngest debutant in competitive internationals, eclipsing Duncan Edwards' record set in 1955.
The 18-year-old is yet to start a Premier League game for Chelsea, but after receiving a late call-up to the England squad for this month's Euro 2020 qualifiers, Hudson-Odoi has impressed during training sessions at St George's Park.
Speaking after his appearance against the Czech Republic, the youngster said: "I'm definitely delighted. I want to thank everybody for helping me get here, and to get the opportunity to play today is a massive feeling in front of the home crowd as well.
"Hopefully there's many more to come. I couldn't believe it (when I was told to get ready). I didn't think it was real. I was looking around the crowd and everybody looked happy - I couldn't believe it.
"I didn't know what to do, but I was delighted, and hopefully there'll be many more to come."
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Declan Rice is set for his first England start against Montenegro
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Henderson will want to declare himself fit to win his 50th cap, but West Ham midfielder Rice is set to start, having made his England debut off the bench in the European Qualifier against Czech Republic.
Hudson-Odoi's rise is further helped by Southgate's reluctance to promote players from the Under 21s, with Aidy Boothroyd preparing his side for an important game against Germany.
Southgate had said he would not hesitate to blood both Rice and Hudson-Odoi together.
Speaking on Sunday, he said: “This is part of their education and to be a top team you have to adapt to every environment you go into.
Friday at Wembley is a different sort of experience to going away from home in a qualifier which is always difficult wherever I’ve travelled.
“The only way they can learn and improve is to go through these experiences."
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