Palmer’s first start?

As the hottest property in the Premier League at the moment, it is strange to think Cole Palmer has yet to start a competitive game for his country.

That stat did not stop him being named as England’s player of the year for 2023/24. Given his form for Chelsea, Carsley will surely select him in his starting XI against Greece.

The interim boss has hinted Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are all unlikely to start together in this international break so which position Palmer may get the nod will be interesting.

Carsley to cement his position?

Lee Carsley has always maintained that he is on a three-camp mission following his appointment as interim boss in the wake of Gareth Southgate’s exit.

But the former Under-21s manager is beginning to get his feet under the table and has the opportunity to further enhance his chances of getting the job on a permanent basis.

He said that he felt at home on the Wembley touchline during last month’s win over Finland and if his side put on another impressive attacking display against Greece then he could win further support for the future.

Solanke’s long wait

If Harry Kane is not fit then it could open the door up for Dominic Solanke. The Tottenham striker is back in the England squad for the first time since 2017 when he made a 15-minute cameo as a substitute in a friendly against Brazil at Wembley.

Despite a seven-year exile he always believed he would be back at the top and had his debut shirt framed on his wall at home to use as motivation.

If Kane does not make it, then he will likely be vying with Ollie Watkins for a starting spot.

Will Harry Kane be fit?

There are big fitness doubts over captain Harry Kane following the injury he picked up playing for Bayern Munich at the weekend.

The striker came off against Eintracht Frankfurt with a knock but was passed fit by England’s medical staff on Monday.

However, he trained individually on Tuesday and with the tight turnaround, it remains to be seen whether the country’s record goalscorer will be fit.

Lee Carsley confirmed that he will not start but a substitute appearance hasn’t been ruled out.

John Stones says he pays no “attention” to the off-field issues surrounding Manchester City as it is something he “cannot control”, and that his position is to simply “put a lot of trust in the club”.

John Stones is excited for an “incredible moment” as he captains England for the first time against Greece on Thursday.

“It’s definitely everything that I could have dreamed of as a kid,” the defender said ahead of the game.

“For my family to be able to see me walk out as England captain is a special moment and one I can’t thank Lee enough for. It was a great conversation we had last night and one I was a bit speechless in.

“An incredible moment for me, it was a bit more normal today, everything resumed as normal, the preparation, the training that we’ve done and our focus.

“To be walking out with the armband on is an absolute honour and a moment I will cherish forever.”

John Stones will lead England out as captain for the first time this evening. He wins his 82nd cap and is looking forward to leading the national team.

“It was a great conversation that I was able to have with John last night, to have that responsibility to ask him to captain the team,” Lee Carsley said.

“It’s a brilliant achievement for John. Something that he deserves – the amount of caps he’s got, the experience he’s got, the level of professionalism that he shows within the squad, the example he is to the younger players.

“It was a great conversation to have.”

“Harry’s nursing an injury, a small knock,” confirmed interim England manager Lee Carsley when asked if the Three Lions captain was fit for tonight’s game.

“Something that we won’t take a chance with.”

Asked to clarify whether Kane will be on the bench at Wembley, he said: “We’re not ruling him out yet of the game, but he won’t start the game.

“Hopefully he’ll be in contention then for Sunday (against Finland) but, again, time will tell. It’s not something I think we should be rushing.”

A month on from celebrating his 100th cap with a match-winning brace against Finland, the 31-year-old could miss Thursday’s Wembley return against the Group B2 leaders.

Kane sustained a knock during Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday and has been unable to train with the group despite getting the green light to stay with England.

The Manchester City player announced the safe arrival of his first child Mila with partner Sasha Ashwood earlier this week.

In an interview with BBC Sport on Wednesday, ahead of England’s match against Greece, Grealish was asked which of his Three Lions teammates would be the best and worst babysitter.

The 29-year-old chose Harry Kane as his preferred favourite, when pressed on his least preferred choice, he chose Bukayo Saka, stating the Arsenal winger might “fall asleep”.