England vs Albania: Gareth Southgate’s team stuttered in the last two international breaks with a draw against Poland and Hungary, but are three points ahead of the Poles in Group I, one of them against San Marino.
First up is a team from Albania who excelled with Edy Reja, the Italian official who has overseen a positive period for the Balkan nation since taking office in March 2019.
England won the second leg in Tirana thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Mason Riding and have not lost a game in 90 minutes for almost a full calendar year.
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England vs Albania kick off on Friday 12 November 2021 at 7.45pm GMT. The
Wembley Stadium in London will host the game.
Manchester United defender Shaw suffered a blow to the head in his team’s derby loss to Manchester City and is being monitored under concussion protocol.
Marcus Rashford (Fitness) and James WardProwse (Illness) are out, resulting in Emile Smith Rowe being called in as a replacement.
Southgate will have to decide whether to stick with his most offensive 433 formation from the tie with Hungary or drop back to 4231 with Kalvin Phillips alongside Declan Rice.
Albania haven’t loaned Chelsea strikers from Southampton Armando Broja (ankle) and defender Berat Djimsiti.
Albania have become an unlikely candidate for a playoff spot in these heats, but a trip to Wembley should be a step too far for Edy Reja’s side.