The big screen operator in Marseille is predicting one hell of a first half...

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on BBC One

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"We have to have a go in this game but it has to be in a controlled fashion.

"Contrary to a lot of people's opinions, we were a very attacking side at the last World Cup, and that was part of the reason we lost our first two games to Italy and Uruguay, who scored their winner on the counter. 

"People forget that Roy Hodgson, this cautious manager everyone talks about, played Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling in the same team in both of those games. 

"I still say to this day, although Roy would never admit it, that maybe his assistants Ray Lewington and Gary Neville edged him towards that over-attacking side, and I think he still regrets it to this day. 

 "I played under him for three years at Fulham and that was not a Roy team. He likes creative players and he likes to play good football but he likes to be solid as well. I am sure that is how he will look to line up against Russia."   

Will Jamie Vardy be in the England team? For an insight into the reasons why Roy Hodgson should opt to leave the Leicester striker on the bench you could do a lot worse than have a read of this piece by Danny Murphy.

It all boils down to this for Danny... "Personally I would go with a 4-2-3-1 but I think Roy will use 4-3-3. Unfortunately, that means he will have to leave out Vardy."

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Vote time. Who do you think is England's most important player? You can cast your vote by clicking on one of the options to the right (on desktop) or at the top of the page (on mobile).

The vote runs until 22:00 BST. Over to you.

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England's Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill and Ryan Bertrand have all received treatment for minor injuries this week but are set to be available for England's opener against Russia.

Media reports suggest striker Jamie Vardy could be dropped.

Russia are without Alan Dzagoev and Igor Denisov, both of whom suffered tournament-ending injuries after their initial 23-man squad was named.

Ex-Chelsea man Yuri Zhirkov is also absent because of an Achilles injury.

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OK, let's deal with the very ugly elephant in the room...

We can't ignore the trouble involving England and Russia fans that has been taking place in Marseille. Tear gas has been used by riot police to disperse supporters during clashes in the last few days. I'm not going to elaborate on the actions of a minority (whatever their nationality) but if you want to read more you can do so on the BBC sport and news website.

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Things are going pretty well for another of the home nations over in Bordeaux. Wales are currently 1-0 up against Slovakia. Do I need to tell you who scored? If I said you had one guess, you'd be right.

To follow that game (which is now in the second half) head over here.

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Yes, it is that time again folks. When, against all our better instincts, we pin flags to the car, paint our faces and hand over all our hopes and dreams to 23 blokes dressed in white (or possibly red).

It doesn't matter how often they hurt us, we keep coming back for more. For as two comedians and a Lightning Seed once sang...

So many jokes, so many sneersBut all those oh so nearsWear you down, through the yearsBut I still see that tackle by MooreAnd when Lineker scored, Bobby belting the ballAnd Nobby dancing

I think it's way past time we made some new lyric-worthy memories.