Revealed! England's team to face Russia in Euro 2016 opener — who is in and who is out

mirror

As we told you, Hodgson has ditched his diamond for a 4-3-3 that includes Sterling and Lallana up front, Rooney in midfield and Vardy on the bench

The men - and the method - Hodgson hopes will get England off to a winning start in France

Roy Hodgson will unleash Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana - and is planning to start Wayne Rooney in central midfield against Russia in England’s Euro 2016 opener,writes Dave Kidd in Chantilly.

Despite the tight security and air of secrecy around the Three Lions’ training base here north of Paris, Mirror Sport can reveal Hodgson has planned two changes from the side which started last Thursday’s 1-0 win over Portugal – with widemen Sterling and Lallana in for Jamie Vardy and James Milner.

But, as we told you yesterday, the manager is scrapping the midfield diamond formation which was deemed a failure against the Portuguese and will instead employ a 4-3-3 system.

It means Footballer of the Year Vardy will miss out on a start in Marseille on Saturday night, with skipper Rooney included in midfield, alongside Dele Alli and Eric Dier.

Reuters

IN: Skipper Rooney plays, but in central midfield

Getty

IN: Raheem Sterling is back in the line-up on the left of an attacking trident

The FA via Getty

IN: Lallana will be on the other side of that front three, supporting Harry Kane

Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror

OUT: Football of the Year Vardy is going to have to settle for an impact-sub role

Hodgson has decided to select all five of his Tottenham players in the same roles they have at their club – meaning Alli will set up as the most advanced of England’s midfield three – in the No 10 role, which allows him to link up with Harry Kane, who will lead the line.

Record goal-scorer Rooney’s spot in the line-up was under serious threat and got debated by Hodgson and his coaching staff – but the 30-year-old will start against Russia, while knowing his place is by no means secure for the duration of the tournament.

Winger Sterling, who has suffered a late-season crisis of confidence at Manchester City, has looked refreshed in England’s pre-tournament warm-up games.

The player is far more comfortable playing for Hodgson than he was under Manuel Pellegrini at City, and has now won back his England place.

Liverpool's Lallana is a favourite of Hodgson's but might have been sacrificed had the diamond formation worked against Portugal.

But on that night, Rooney frequently operated further forward than he had been asked, forcing Kane and Vardy to move too wide – and that has persuaded the manager to revert to a 4-3-3.

Kyle Walker has won a tight race with Nathaniel Clyne for the right-back spot, thanks to his man-of-the-match performance against Portugal.