Key momentsEngland face Andorra in World Cup qualifying and are three wins from three in group K so farTeam have only played four games since manager Thomas Tuchel took charge in JanuaryJohn Stones withdraws from squad with a ‘muscular issue’Harry Kane is set to move level with Bobby Moore on 108 appearances and become England’s fifth-most-capped playerNeed a new Birmingham food spot? Here are some of the best
Hamzah Khalique-Loonat
There are upsides and downsides to England touring around the country. There’s only a few stadiums that compare to Wembley, and there’s always something special about playing there (despite the paper aeroplanes).
But, in my opinion, the biggest upside of getting around the country is being able to visit some of the finest pre-match eateries around.
Now I’m not going to give away all my tips, but for starters, here’s a mixed shwarma and chips that I had yesterday, picked up from Birmingham’s finest shwarma spot: Shwarma City, a five minute walk from New Street Station.
I’m actually heading to another fine establishment right now, Broadway 2, which sits at the end of Trinity Road, a ten-minute walk from Villa Park. Ask for the Daddy Burger when you’re at Villa Park next. You can thank me later.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek receives first England call-up since 2019
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the AC Milan midfielder, has been called up to the England squad for the first time in more than six years.
Thomas Tuchel worked with Loftus-Cheek while at Chelsea between 2021 and 2022. The midfielder left Chelsea in 2023 and joined Milan, where he has since made 70 appearances.
Loftus-Cheek has ten caps for England but he has not been called up to the national team squad since March 2019, when he withdrew, and his last appearance for England was in November 2018, when he featured as a substitute in a win over the United States.
Rise of Djed Spence: from crushed by Antonio Conte to England’s versatile asset
Djed Spence keeps a mental note of his critics, especially Antonio Conte, who “shattered” his confidence, and the revitalised full back is enjoying proving the naysayers wrong after his England call-up.
Conte publicly criticised Spence when the versatile defender joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2022 as a 21-year-old, with the Italian manager distancing himself from him by saying: “The club decided to buy him.”
“Of course,” Spence said when asked whether he was hurt by the comments from his manager at the time. “Especially as a young player. I did really well, got promoted with Nottingham Forest. I am buzzing [at the time], I am going to sign for Tottenham.
“So to hear comments like that wasn’t nice. It does shatter your confidence a bit. But, you know, I am a fighter. So, whatever I do I will try to do my best in everything I can. Fast-forward, I am here now, so I am happy.”
How Tuchel’s England can solve their problem against low blocks
Three months ago, Thomas Tuchel said that he wanted England to “suffocate” Andorra. The team ranked 174th in the world have a game plan — sit back, defend hard and survive — that necessitates such dramatic proclamations.
Leading up to the match, the expectation was high. The reality? Well, England were booed by the travelling support at both half and full-time and laboured to a 1-0 victory in Barcelona.
Tuchel criticised his players after the game for a lack of seriousness, quality and energy, comparing them to a favourite that could not sense the danger of a cup tie against a minnow.
Upping the tempo (at correct moments), getting the press right and creating one-v-ones today should help team overcome issues they faced in June.
• Read more from Hamzah Khalique-Loonat
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the World Cup qualifier between England and Andorra at Villa Park.
This is just the fifth game of the Thomas Tuchel era. His side have won all three of their qualifying matches so far, but with their most recent result being a 3-1 defeat by Senegal in a friendly back in June, much better will be expected here.
The action will get underway at 5pm.