Alli, Sturridge, Smalling out for Allardyce’s England opener

Defender John Stones plus midfielders Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana are recalled, replacing Chris Smalling, Dele Alli and Daniel Sturridge from the team that suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Iceland in the last 16 at Euro 2016.

The uncapped Michail Antonio has to be content with a place on the bench, along with Danny Drinkwater, who did not make Hodgson’s final Euro 2016 squad.

Slovakia have won just two of their last eight competitive internationals, so it’s no surprise they enter Sunday’s games as underdogs, with England expected to start life under “Big Sam” with a win.

Wayne Rooney has overtaken David Beckham to become England’s most-capped outfield player. “I have been since the moment I got in the team, my motivation is the same as that day”.

Sam Allardyce is set to make his bow in worldwide football and a win would ease many nerves. You can always wonder what might have been if we’d done things differently, but it’s not going to change anything.

Barkley was threatening against Stoke last week and seems to be benefiting already from Ronald Koeman’s desire to get the ball forward much quicker than Everton ever did under Roberto Martinez.

“If he can come out from the back and make a killer pass or help with an assist we will cover that by other players filling in”. Mino [Stoch] is not the only one who made a mistake and I don’t mean only the players.

Joe Hart remains in goal, despite an terrible Euro 2016 and aided by the withdrawal of his major rival, Fraser Forster.

Joe Hart, who joined Torino on loan after slipping to third in the pecking order at Manchester City, remains in goal despite his lack of action this season because Fraser Forster’s arm injury leaves him as the only established goalkeeper. He’s playing in Italy for this year. Overall though, England, shorn of the shackles that so affected them when the pressure was high, should have enough quality to get past the Slovaks.

Slovakia may have held England in Saint-Etienne but that did not stop their kit-man underlining their admiration for the visitors, having posted a message in the away dressing room asking for a shirt after the match. The 21-year-old has returned to Carrington for treatment as a precaution, though Allardyce is confident he will be fit and available for next Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.