England predicted XI vs Czech Republic: Kane closes on 125th cap as Tuchel reshapes injury-hit side

England host the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday in their final match of the international break. Thomas Tuchel is without Alex Scott, Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly, and Harry Kane is set to win his 125th cap, drawing level with Peter Shilton as England's joint most-capped men's player.

  • Fixture: England vs Czech Republic, Tuesday night at Wembley Stadium
  • Competition: International friendly (final match of the break)
  • Headline: Harry Kane expected to feature and draw level with Peter Shilton on 125 caps
  • Key changes: Trent Alexander-Arnold comes in at right-back; Myles Lewis-Skelly replaces Alex Scott in midfield
  • Out: Alex Scott (up to two months), Ezri Konsa (returned to Arsenal for treatment), Nico O'Reilly (knee, returned to Manchester City)
  • Call-up: Rico Lewis recalled from England Under-21s for full-back cover

Predicted England line-up

England (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: GK Jordan Pickford; RB Trent Alexander-Arnold, CB Trevoh Chalobah, CB Marc Guehi, LB Hall; CM Anderson, CM Myles Lewis-Skelly; RW Saka, AM Gibbs-White, LW Rogers; ST Harry Kane.

Substitutes: Not specified in the source.

Tuchel is expected to hand Myles Lewis-Skelly a midfield role in place of the injured Alex Scott, who impressed on his first senior England start in Rijeka. Alexander-Arnold returns at right-back. At centre-back, Chalobah, Guehi and Jarrad Branthwaite are competing for three spots following Konsa's withdrawal.

Selection notes

Rico Lewis, recalled from the Under-21s, has not featured for the senior side since November 2024, but his versatility on either side at full-back helps a squad carrying injuries. Pickford keeps his place in goal. All 22 available players trained together on Monday, giving Tuchel enough flexibility to manage minutes sensibly.

Injury and availability

  • Alex Scott: Withdrawn through injury, reportedly facing up to two months out. Was impressive on his first senior England start in Rijeka.
  • Ezri Konsa: Returned to Arsenal for treatment on an unspecified injury. Missed the earlier win over the Czechs but played 90 minutes against Croatia.
  • Nico O'Reilly: Already returned to Manchester City for assessment on an injury suffered against Spain.
  • Other absentees: Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento all dropped out before the Spain game.

Kane closes on historic cap milestone

Harry Kane's expected appearance carries weight beyond the result. If he plays, he will draw level with Peter Shilton on 125 appearances and become England's joint most-capped men's player of all time. That headline number will be the centrepiece at Wembley, whether Kane starts or is introduced from the bench.

For a manager managing minutes, Kane's involvement is a balancing act. Tuchel will want the captain on the pitch to mark the occasion, but he will also be wary of overloading a squad already stretched by withdrawals. The cleanest solution is a start with a planned substitution, or a second-half cameo if England are comfortable.

Why Tuchel is rotating after Croatia demolition

England's build-up to this match was comfortable. The 2-0 win in Prague and the 7-0 dismantling of Croatia gave Tuchel's squad enough recovery time without pushing players into the red zone. The gap between matches was managed well, and standards stayed high.

Now the balance has shifted. Tuesday's Wembley meeting brings changes partly by design and partly by force. Scott and Konsa have trimmed Tuchel's options, and Nico O'Reilly's earlier return to Manchester City left another gap. The response has been a call-up for Rico Lewis, whose versatility at full-back provides cover in a squad carrying bruises.

The projected 4-2-3-1 gives England control in midfield, with Anderson and Lewis-Skelly sitting behind Saka, Gibbs-White and Rogers. Alexander-Arnold's return at right-back adds a different passing dimension. The centre-back decision — Chalobah, Guehi and Branthwaite for three spots — is Tuchel's last real selection call.

Talking points

  • Should Kane start to mark his 125th cap, or is a bench role the smarter way to protect legs in a dead-rubber international?
  • Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield is a bold call. Does it show Tuchel values versatility over specialists, or is he simply out of options?
  • Rico Lewis hasn't played for England since November 2024. Is his recall a reward for versatility or a sign of how thin the squad has become?
  • With Scott out for up to two months and others withdrawn, has this international break cost England more than it gained?

What happens next

England face the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday night, looking for control, a clean performance and no further names added to the injury list. For Kane, it is a chance to equal a national record. For Tuchel, it is about getting through the final match of a stretched break with standards high and legs protected.

Frequently asked questions

Is Harry Kane playing for England vs Czech Republic?

Kane is expected to feature, whether from the start or off the bench. If he plays, he will draw level with Peter Shilton on 125 caps.

Who is replacing Alex Scott in the England midfield?

Myles Lewis-Skelly is expected to replace Scott in midfield after Scott withdrew through injury and is reportedly facing up to two months out.

Why is Ezri Konsa not in the England squad?

Konsa is unavailable after returning to Arsenal for treatment on an unspecified injury, having played 90 minutes against Croatia.

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