Thomas Tuchel has handed a start to Alex Scott for England’s Nations League showdown against Croatia this evening.

The Bournemouth midfielder, who won his first cap at senior international level in the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in midweek, is rewarded with a first start at this level.

Scott will partner Elliot Anderson in midfield as part of five changes made by the England head coach, with Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham also returning.

In goal, James Trafford was handed the first two matches of the international break but has been replaced by England’s long-time No1 Jordan Pickford, in accordance with the plan communicated to both goalkeepers before the Spain game by Tuchel.

The England head coach has also dropped Trent Alexander-Arnold in favour of Jarell Quansah at right-back.

Tuchel has hinted he would name a stronger team in Rijeka than next Tuesday on the basis of the perceived difficulty of facing Croatia, before resting key names for the final fixture against the Czech Republic.

Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento dropped out of the squad ahead of the first game against Spain.

England XI: Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, Hall; Anderson, Scott; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Trafford, Ngumoha, Branthwaite, Lewis-Skelly, Rogers, Garner, Calvert-Lewin, Gibbs-White, Eze, Steele

O’Reilly, Rice, Palmer, Rashford, Mainoo, Livramento

Time and date: 5pm BST on Saturday 3, October 2026

How to watch: ITV