Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has urged Gareth Southgate not to pick Jordan Henderson for England's friendly against Belgium, stating: "If I see Henderson, something is going through the TV."
Henderson missed England's 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday through injury but is in contention to feature against Belgium. However, Pennant would much prefer to see 18-year-old Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo make his full England debut after coming off the bench against Brazil.
"Put Mainoo in that holding position because he's good on the ball technically," Pennant said on talkSPORT. "He's not scared to get the ball, he can challenge, he can defend, he can pass the ball... I think it's a perfect scenario.
"I want the players playing in those positions who get the best out of that position. If I see Henderson, something is going through the TV. Please don't do this.
"This is why this is the perfect scenario, it's not a qualifier, it's not in the Euros, it's a friendly. So if he can handle this and play as he's been playing for Man United in this game, then you go, 'Right, another little experience for him, perfect, just what you want from these young players.'
"Rather than putting Henderson there who is a veteran who we know what we're going to get, he's not going to be exciting, it just doesn't make any sense." Speaking ahead of the friendly, Southgate offered an update on Henderson's fitness.
When asked if the Ajax star, along with Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, would be able to play a full 90 minutes, he replied: "Hendo probably not, Cole is back in training so that is possible, and with Jude, yeah absolutely.
"Jude had cramps the other day. He's missed quite a bit of football recently so actually, he is ready for games. Everybody else has come through training as far as I know."
Declan Rice, meanwhile, is set to captain the Three Lions as he earns his 50th cap. "he has great leadership experience already at a tender age and I think it's a brilliant opportunity for some of our young players now to show leadership and to experience that because some of our core group – Trippier, Walker, Maguire – are not with us," Southgate added.
"So [there will be] a different feel about the group, a different dynamic, and it is a great opportunity for other people to step up, to lead and to grow. That is important because a lot of the players involved with the squad now are the future of the team for the mid and long-term, and the more of those experiences they can have, it is really helpful for everybody."
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