England boss Sam Allardyce insists that Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia is the perfect opportunity for his players to stake their claim to remain in his plans.
The former Sunderland boss admits he will be nervous as he prepares to lead England out for the first time since his appointment earlier this summer.
After a dismal European Championships, Allardyce must hit the ground running with England but his side will not have it all their own way against Slovakia.
The two sides drew 0-0 during Euro 2016 and Allardyce has not made too many changes from Roy Hodgson’s squad.
Manchester City’s John Stones is set to be given a start, while Michail Antonio will hope to be given the chance to impress from off the bench after his first call-up to the squad.
Speaking ahead of the match, Allardyce has urged his players to lay down a marker ahead of upcoming Qualifiers.
He told reporters: “You want to see your players grab the shirt and maintain the level of performance you know they can achieve.
“The previous games, with the exception to Iceland, were exceptionally good – so those players that have the shirt this time will hopefully play as well to keep that shirt and make life extremely difficult for me to change the team.”
England are the heavy favourites to win their qualification group which also includes Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta.
Allardyce will be determined to qualify for the 2018 World Cup as quickly as possible and the Three Lions are priced at 19.00 to win the competition in Russia.
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