England vs Wales: Raheem Sterling set to retain his starting place ahead of Daniel Sturridge in Euro 2016 clash

Roy Hodgson is ready to name an unchanged team for England’s crucial Group B clash with Wales and hand Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane the chance to make amends for their stuttering start to Euro 2016.

England will train at their Chantilly base on Wednesday morning before making the ninety-minute trip to Lens for the encounter with Chris Coleman’s team, who lead the group following Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Slovakia in Bordeaux.

And barring any last minute injuries prior to the squad’s departure, Hodgson is preparing to keep with the starting XI which was unable to defeat Russia in Marseille, ultimately emerging from Stade Velodrome with a 1-1 draw.

Hodgson and his coaching staff believe that the game-plan deployed against the Russians was a success, with England’s pace causing Leonid Slutsky’s team problems down the flanks.

Sterling’s contribution was key to that tactical approach, but the Manchester City winger’s distribution in the final third proved a negative aspect of his performance and had placed a doubt over his participation against the Welsh.

That contributed to the lack of service Kane, last season’s 25-goal Premier League top scorer, but the Tottenham forward retains Hodgson’s support and he is likely to retain his place ahead of Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge.

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England go into the Wales game knowing that even a defeat will not end their qualification hopes, with a final game victory against Slovakia in St Etienne set to prove enough to secure at least third place in the group.

But having failed to get off to a winning start against the Russians, midfielder Adam Lallana admits that the pressure is on England to deliver in Lens.

“Yes, but we thrive on pressure week in and week out – it brings out the best in us,” Lallana said. “That’s what we have to deal with.

“It’s a big football match, not just because it is Wales versus England, but because of the state of the group, so it would be great for us to get a win with how the group lies at the minute.”

The threat posed by Gareth Bale has been identified as the key factor for England to nullify, with the Real Madrid winger inspiring Wales to their victory over Slovakia.

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Having played with Bale as a youngster at Southampton, Lallana admits that the former Tottenham player possesses the ability to torment England.

But he insists that the game does not solely depend on how Hodgson’s players deal with Bale.

“You don't want to leave your team too vulnerable on the counter-attack with players like Gareth Bale playing,” Lallana said. “But despite the strengths and qualities that he has, it's not a one man show.

“Wales have plenty of other good players. I have the pleasure of playing with Joe Allen and know what a talent he is. Aaron Ramsey is another one who is very talented, so we can't just put all our focus on Gareth then get a sucker punch from one of their other good players.

“It's right that we respect the whole team and look at their strengths and weaknesses and figure out how we are going to beat them."

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England go into Thursday’s game unbeaten against Wales since a 1-0 defeat in Wrexham in 1984 and Lallana insists that Coleman and his squad will be as concerned by Hodgson’s team as England are by Bale.

“I think they’ll definitely be thinking about that (England’s quality),” Lallana said. “Anyone would who is playing against us and looking at our team – and not just our team, but also our squad.

“There are attacking players on the bench we can use, and there are great options there.

“It’s definitely one of the best England squads I’ve been involved in, so if someone is having a bad day, or there are injuries or suspensions, we’ve got options in abundance to come in and keep the standard high.”