Lee Carsley’s final month in charge of England begins with a must-win encounter in Athens if the Three Lions are to top their UEFA Nations League group.

The interim boss went striker-less for the reverse fixture against Greece last month but the result was one of England’s poorest performances and most embarrassing results of modern times. Despite Jude Bellingham equalising late on, Benfica forward Vangelis Pavlidis scored his second of the game in stoppage time to lift the Greeks to a maiden victory over their upcoming opponents.

Carsley has been forced to deal with a mass exodus from his 26-man squad with eight players withdrawing, but that has presented opportunities for others to impress over the next two games before Thomas Tuchel enters the firing line on 1 January.

Here’s the team Carsley could pick to face Greece on Thursday.

GK: Jordan Pickford – The Everton goalkeeper rarely lets his country down but his display in the reverse fixture was perhaps his worst for the Three Lions. Still, he’ll likely start both fixtures again this month given the lack of serious competition.

RB: Kyle Walker – The veteran full-back has endured an injury-hit start to the season and his performances have reflected a player who is not 100% fit. However, he’s not withdrawn from the squad and Carsley may opt for his experience and recovery speed to contain the hosts on the break.

CB: Ezri Konsa – Konsa has only featured sparingly for his country so far but he’s got a great chance to impress this month with the likes of John Stones and Harry Maguire absent from the squad.

CB: Marc Guehi – Guehi missed the reverse fixture but got a full 90 minutes under his belt in Helsinki last month. After an excellent Euro 2024 campaign, the Crystal Palace defender could yet play a big part for the Three Lions in the coming years.

LB: Lewis Hall – The former Chelsea academy star has enjoyed a superb start to the season, recently locking down Bukayo Saka in Newcastle United’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, and is the only natural left-back in this squad. He’ll also benefit from having a familiar face playing ahead of him on the pitch.

CM: Angel Gomes – There’s a lack of double pivot contenders in this squad, although Curtis Jones did shine in a deeper midfield position for Carsley’s Under-21s. However, Gomes offered class and guile on his maiden England appearance and is likely to be preferred here.

CM: Conor Gallagher – It’s been a mixed start to life in Madrid for Gallagher, who’ll surely benefit from Tuchel’s arrival next year. His industry and athleticism may be required in Athens.

RW: Noni Madueke – Another Carsley favourite. Madueke doesn’t enter this break in the form he was in at the very start of the season, but the interim manager has few alternatives down the right flank with Saka, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden all pulling out. Jarrod Bowen could earn minutes off the bench.

AM: Jude Bellingham – Bellingham is capable in a deeper position, but he’s performed at his best for the past 15 months in an advanced role. The Englishman scored his first Real Madrid goal of the season at the weekend after making a perfectly-timed run in behind Osasuna’s defence.

LW: Anthony Gordon – Eddie Howe has experimented with Gordon off the right of late, but he’ll be used as a key outlet down the left in Athens. He’s the runner his striker will appreciate.

ST: Harry Kane – Kane’s absence was hard-felt in the reverse fixture, but Carsley has him available for Thursday’s game and there’s no doubt he’ll be included in the starting XI. England’s record goalscorer currently leads the Bundesliga scoring charts alongside Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush.

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