Summary

  • Kane scores on England debut

  • Striker scores with second touch

  • Sterling, Welbeck and Rooney also on target

  1. Radio Radiopublished at 18:51 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Join Mark Chapman and the team at Wembley as build-up on BBC Radio 5 live begins from 19:00 GMT. Former England winger Chris Waddle is the guest ahead of commentary with Alan Green, John Murray and Danny Mills from 19:45 GMT.

    Then it's your turn. Have your say on the evening's events in the 5 live Football Social from 21:40 GMT.

    WembleyImage source, PA
  2. Postpublished at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Wembley

    "England manager Roy Hodgson's decision to keep man of the moment Harry Kane on the bench may cause some debate - but the contribution of Arsenal's Danny Welbeck to their 100% Euro 2016 qualification record must not be forgotten.

    "Welbeck, with five goals in those four wins, is rightly trusted by Hodgson and has been one of the players his manager has been able to count on since he took over just before Euro 2012."

  3. Postpublished at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Roy HodgsonImage source, BBC Sport

    How many games will drop into that 'Played' column before Roy Hodgson leaves his post?

    The 67-year-old's current contract expires at the end of Euro 2016, but the former Liverpool boss is expected to begin talks about an extension shortly...

  4. U21s latestpublished at 18:46 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    England Under-21 coach Gareth Southgate has named his team for their friendly against the Czech Republic, the hosts of this summer's Under-21 European Championship, in Prague.

    Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, who has won three caps for the senior side, is named in the starting line-up along with Southampton duo James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett.

    Fulham's Cauley Woodrow starts up front following injuries to West Brom's Saido Berahino, Middlesbrough's on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford and Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson. Burnley's Danny Ings is on the bench.

    England U21 XI: Bettinelli, Chambers, Keane, Moore, Targett, Ward-Prowse, Forster-Caskey, Redmond, Carroll, Pritchard, Woodrow.

  5. Red or brown Roy?published at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Red sauceImage source, PA

    Roy Hodgson's decision to leave Harry Kane out tonight may be kicking up a storm - but his decision to restore ketchup to the menu has made the England camp a happier place than it was under Fabio Capello, according to Everton defender Phil Jagielka.

    Hodgson replaced Capello in May 2012. The 67-year-old's informal manner is in contrast to the Italian's more authoritarian style.

    "There can be too many rules," said Jagielka. "If Fabio didn't want anyone to have ketchup there was no ketchup. Roy allows us ketchup if we want."

    At the 2010 World Cup, England's players had to plead with Capello to be allowed a beer after a woeful goalless draw with Algeria in Cape Town.

  6. Postpublished at 18:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer at Wembley

    "There is a relaxed but expectant mood around Wembley, as there is around England's camp - and rightly so with four wins from four in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.

    "It would be a major shock if they did not make it five from five here tonight against Lithuania. The bottom line is that there would be the inquest to end all inquests if England did not get out of their group, which offered the perfect respite to manager Roy Hodgson and his players after that dreadful World Cup in Brazil."

  7. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:40 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Danny IngsImage source, EPA

    Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Ryan Mason are the two new faces in this England squad - but who else would you like to see get a cap?

    Who are England's diamonds in the rough? Away from the media spotlight, maybe even plying their trade away from the top flight, but worthy of an England place.

    Let us know who should be on Roy's radar, and why.

    Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC MOTD Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

    You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

  8. 'Kane reminds me of me'published at 18:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Alan Shearer
    BBC Sport

    Harry KaneImage source, Reuters

    "Even before Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge pulled out because of injury, I said that Harry Kane should start against Lithuania.

    "One of the reasons I think that is because he has got the confidence to go into the England set-up and straightaway believe that he belongs at that level.

    "He wants the chance to prove himself. I was the same, and I can understand why he has been compared to me.

    "I am a huge fan of his and what I love about him is that he scores all types of goals and does not care about the reputations of whoever is marking him.

    "He has got a great touch, heading ability, can mix it physically and his finishing is top class."

    Sorry Al, Kane is on the bench. Read more from Alan on Harry Kane here.

  9. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:37 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Jonjo Hedges: Not starting Kane tonight is a big mistake in many factors. Get him used to Wembley, easy side to get some confidence against.

    Mathew Preston: If Welbeck starts ahead of Kane it will justify everything wrong with England. Picked on club stature instead of form.

    Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the MOTD Facebook, external page or Google+ page., external

  10. Team Newspublished at 18:37 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    England team: 1 Hart 2 Clyne 3 Baines 4 Henderson 5 Cahill 6 Jones 7 Sterling 8 Carrick 9 Welbeck 10 Rooney (c) 11 Delph

    Subs: 12 Smalling 13 Butland 14 Walcott 15 Jagielka 16 Milner 17 Townsend 18 Kane 19 Mason 20 Barkley 21 Gibbs 22 Walker 23 Green

  11. BREAKING NEWSpublished at 18:36 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Confirmed - no Harry Kane in the England starting XI tonight.

    Danny Welbeck gets the nod. Full team news to come.

  12. Do your homeworkpublished at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    LithuaniaImage source, PA

    England manager Roy Hodgson is confident he will not be surprised by Lithuania tonight ahead of the first ever meeting of the sides.

    Lithuania, currently ranked 94th in the world, won their first two qualifying games, against San Marino and Estonia, but have since lost 2-0 at home to Slovenia and 4-0 away to Switzerland.

    Hodgson said: "We have been through Lithuania's style of play and we think we know enough about them.

    "People know more about Premier League players, but I hope we know enough. I hope the players are prepared to do what we want to do and cause them problems."

  13. Text us on 81111published at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Ben Geffen: Few can argue that Welbeck hasn't done his service for England but now it's time for everyone to accept he's an England bench player given the qualities of others coming through.

    Jon in Epsom: 16 of us going to Wembley tonight - celebrating four birthdays including three 18ths - come on Kane and England!

    Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook,, external or Google+ page., external

  14. Kane expected to be on the benchpublished at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Harry KaneImage source, Empics

    There's only one name on the agenda going into tonight's game. Harry Kane has been a revelation this season. From out on loan and filling in for the Europa League to main man and the Premier League's most dangerous striker. What a year.

    Not good enough to earn a starting role tonight though. We expect Kane to be on the bench.

  15. How it standspublished at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Group E tableImage source, BBC Sport

    So far, so good for England in qualifying for Euro 2016. With the tournament expanding to 24 teams, the top two from each group qualify.

    The third-placed side with the most points (discarding those earned against the team finishing sixth in groups as one group has five teams) will also make it.

    This leaves eight other teams who have finished third in a group to play off over two legs to provide another four sides.

  16. A perfect recordpublished at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2015

    Roy HodgsonImage source, Getty Images

    Roy Hodgson is a happy man.

    Four wins out of four in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign so far have put England well on track for a place in the finals in France next summer.

    Six points clear of Slovenia and with a goal difference of +10 already, the Three Lions have one foot in the finals with six games still to play. Tonight they can move a step closer with a home game against Lithuania - the 94th best team in the world according to the Fifa rankings.

    That's just below Benin, but above Tanzania.

    Five out of five tonight?