England boss Gareth Southgate is considering STARTING Kobbie Mainoo against Belgium after making his debut from the bench against Brazil… as Man United starlet looks to gatecrash Euro 2024 squad

England head coach Gareth Southgate is giving serious consideration to handing Kobbie Mainoo a start against Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday night.

The Manchester United teenager was only added to the squad as a late call-up last week but having made his international debut from the bench against Brazil on Saturday, the 18-year-old could be handed a Euros audition against the Belgians.

With the clash England’s last game before Southgate selects his squad for the tournament in Germany, a good performance from Mainoo could be enough for him to gatecrash the final party. Southgate will initially name an extended group before cutting it down to 23.

Mainoo could feature in a young midfield including 25-year-old Declan Rice — who will captain England for the first time on his 50th cap — and Jude Bellingham, 20.

When asked whether the emergence of Bellingham and Mainoo represented a changing of the guard in England’s midfield in terms of the futures of mainstays Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson, Southgate replied: ‘We have to move with the best we have available.

The Man United teenager came off the bench against Brazil for his first ever Three Lions cap

‘I think a good Phillips — he has been our best player over 2021 and 2022 — there’s still a player there that can be important for the balance of the team and cover for Declan because that is a concern.

‘Hendo understands where he is, he is more of a senior player now. He’s not necessarily the one we are going to start in the games like Brazil — but he could still be crucial for us. The team isn’t just about technical ability. That nous, that understanding of how to win, that organisation of others.

‘There are players that help teams function, you can’t just pick 11 talents, it’s all got to come together. Hendo has throughout his career, certainly at Liverpool, helped that team to win and that’s a key attribute.’

Ivan Toney will play up front tonight, while Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa, who gained his first cap off the bench against Brazil, are also hoping to start.

The 18-year-old was initially promoted from the Under-21s after a superb season with United

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is in danger of missing Euro 2024 with the elbow injury that saw him withdraw from the squad.

The Palace shot-stopper is seeing a specialist to determine the extent of the problem, which was not initially thought to be serious. Surgery has not been ruled out and that would lead to him almost certainly missing the Euros.

Mail Sport understands Johnstone was not carrying the injury when he first reported for duty last Tuesday afternoon.

Indeed, Johnstone was under consideration to play some part at Wembley tonight.

Mainoo is hoping to gatecrash England’s Euro 2024 squad and win a place on the plane to Germany this summer

England confirmed on Sunday night that Johnstone was one of a trio of withdrawals ahead of the Belgium game, as well as Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker.

Southgate already has a major problem with regards to his understudies for established No 1 Jordan Pickford.

Johnstone was emerging as a serious contender to go to Germany as Pickford’s back-up, particularly given Aaron Ramsdale is not playing at Arsenal and Nick Pope’s long-term injury at Newcastle.

Southgate promoted Burnley keeper James Trafford into his squad on Sunday to replace Johnstone, while Rangers’ Jack Butland could also come into the picture.