England vs Russia: Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana poised to start with Jamie Vardy to miss out on Euro 2016 opener

Roy Hodgson believes the pace of Sterling can pose Russia problems while Lallana will start at Jack Wilshere's expense

Mark Ogden
Chantilly
Friday 10 June 2016 01:49 EDT
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Raheem Sterling is set to start England's Euro 2016 opener against Russia
Raheem Sterling is set to start England's Euro 2016 opener against Russia (Getty)

Roy Hodgson is planning to name Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana in his starting line-up for England's Euro 2016 opener against Russia.

England face Leonid Slutsky's Russians in the Group B opener in Marseille aiming to secure the victory that would put the team on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages with a win against Wales next Thursday.

And Hodgson is prepared to go with an attacking line-up and exploit the pace of Sterling alongside forwards Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane.

Sterling's selection is likely to come at the expense of Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy, who struggled to make an impression in a three man forward line against Portugal at Wembley last week.

Euro 2016 predictions from The Independent

Lallana's place in the team is set to see Jack Wilshere miss out on the starting XI, with Hodgson keen to use the Liverpool midfielder's ability out wide.

England fly to Marseille from their Chantilly base on Friday morning.

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