Jamie Vardy and James Milner are likely to miss out when Roy Hodgson picks his England team to face Russia for Saturday's Euro 2016 opener in Marseille, according to multiple reports.
The Daily Mail claims the formation used by Hodgson in training sessions behind closed doors in Chantilly this week has led the players to believe that Vardy and Milner will be the men to pay the price for England's underwhelming display in their final tournament warm-up game -- a 1-0 win against Portugal.
The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, reports that Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana are foremost in Hodgson's thinking to replace Vardy and Milner in an attacking 4-2-3-1 system designed to exploit Russia's injury-hit midfield -- Igor Denisov and Alan Dzagoev have both been ruled out of the tournament -- and veteran central defensive partnership of Vasili Berezutski and Sergey Ignashevich.
England captain Wayne Rooney is expected to start in a slightly withdrawn role behind Harry Kane, while Dele Alli partners Tottenham Hotspur teammate Eric Dier in the centre of midfield, according to The Times.
After an injury-plagued season that saw him play just 141 minutes for Arsenal, Jack Wilshere reportedly fears he has not featured enough in England's recent warm-up matches to earn a starting spot against Russia, while the game will also come too soon for Jordan Henderson, who struggled with fitness problems towards the end of Liverpool's campaign.
Despite enduring an underwhelming first season at Manchester City, Sterling registered assists against Australia and Portugal, while Lallana also impressed from the bench. Hodgson is reportedly keen to make the most of Russia's vulnerabilities with a starting XI that possesses pace and creativity.
Danny Rose will keep his place at left-back with Ryan Bertrand only returning to full training on Thursday after a knock, while Kyle Walker is expected to start ahead of Nathaniel Clyne on the right as Hodgson keeps faith with the same back four that secured a clean sheet against Portugal.
Hodgson is yet to inform his players of his team to face Russia, and The Times reports that he will finalise his plans in England's last training session on Friday before the squad leave their Chantilly base for Marseille.
Dr Steve Peters also arrived in Chantilly on Thursday to give England's players a motivational talk, and the psychiatrist will continue to work with the squad in a consultancy capacity throughout the tournament.
"He is a good addition, a fresh addition and he is there if you need him," England goalkeeper Joe Hart told reporters of Dr Peters on Thursday. "We sit down as a group, work together and try to get the best out of each other."