Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Before Jesse Lingard went to West Ham you thought it was a long road back for him. The loan move was fabulous. His goalscoring and finishing at the moment is the icing on the cake.

He looks a goal threat every time he plays and I'm sure that has had an influence on Gareth Southgate putting him in the team.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

England will be dominant in games like this. In the game against the Republic of Ireland, Tyrone Mings stepped into midfield and you think 'what is the point in that?' You may as well have a midfielder in there instead.

Against the right opposition, change things up and be more flexible.

Here come the players!

No fans, of course, but one or two familiar faces in the stands this evening at Wembley.

Wonder what Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Jordan Pickford make of this?

Image source, Getty Images

Brad Chuck: I see England are playing 1 striker against the worst team in world football. Can't wait.

Antony Manners: Tonight's back 4 will mostly be a back 2 with the full-backs attacking. Also don't need defensive midfielders.

City Fan Steve O: England v San Marino, the international equivalent of Man City v Anyone Else.

Gareth Southgate is the seventh manager to manage 50 games for England after Walter Winterbottom, Alf Ramsey, Ron Greenwood, Bobby Robson, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roy Hodgson.

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

Gareth Southgate has talked about the need to have flexibility with his formations and changes in games.

The fact he has gone with a back four is not a surprise. I wonder what he is going to learn in these three games in what is essentially a countdown for the summer. England should come out of the week with nine points out of nine.

RedDogCam: So happy to see James Ward-Prowse get a start at the base of England's midfield. Team is crying out for him there. Against better opposition, I hope Southgate has the balls to keep him there.

David Ince: So tonight England just need to keep it tight at the back for the first nine seconds and they should be alright...

England boss Gareth Southgate says there is a need to address "the much deeper issues" about racism.

BBC Radio 5 Live are now reporting that England will take the knee for all three World Cup qualifiers over the next week since having those discussions.

Gareth Southgate says that the England squad will continue to have talks about whether to take the knee before games.

A number of clubs and players have stopped taking the knee, saying it has not been having the required impact.

Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha was the first Premier League player to stand since the anti-racism gesture was introduced last summer.

"We'll be unified on whatever we do and if there's any doubt then I think we would take the knee," the manager said.

Matt R: England very much going the B-team I see. Sensible given the oppostion and 3 games in quick succession.

Jamie Goode: Problem with England, we have this air of "we are top" but we have always lacked, also we have far too many ball playing, attacking mids, no ball winning, holding mid, we need to stop playing like a Germany, Spain, Beazil, France etc

Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

These matches just used to be about the basics. If you can execute the basics to a world-class level you will perform well.

From an individual perspective you have to make it about your own pride.

Germany will definitely be without Jonas Hofmann during this international break with him having tested positive for coronavirus.

The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder returned a positive test on Wednesday but was "symptom free" and has gone into immediate isolation.

As well as tonight's game against Iceland, Germany also travel to Romania on Sunday and host North Macedonia on Wednesday but are confident "this will remain the only case" within the German camp.

National team director Oliver Bierhoff added: "Of course, this news is bitter so shortly before the game, for the coach and the entire team.

"But we are in good spirits that this will remain the only case as we have been very disciplined in taking all the hygienic measures. Naturally, we will implement all the requirements of the authorities."

"The fans still sing 'he's one of our own'. They loved Ollie and he loved being here," reflects Exeter City's president Julian Tagg.

Ollie Watkins was called into the England squad for the first time and, while he may be a relatively new name to Premier League and England followers, Exeter City have known about his potential for years.

Having made his debut for the League Two club as an 18-year-old in May 2014, Watkins has shot up through football's ranks.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Getting strong vibes that Rob Green wouldn't have brought a ticket for tonight's game.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I played here in a game against Andorra where I touched the ball about three times.

You ask Peter Crouch how many goals he scored for England and he won't mention a hat-trick against Jamaica in a meaningless friendly. It is all about the numbers.

Nick Pope has four caps, he will be relishing the chance to get a fifth.

Zlatan is back on the international scene! The AC Milan striker, who has scored 17 goals in 23 games this season, announced he was reversing his international retirement recently and has been rewarded with a start for Sweden against Georgia. It will be his 117th cap.

Victor Lindelof is also starting the game, as is former Arsenal, Birmingham, Sunderland and Hull midfielder Sebastian Larsson at the age of 35.

Age is no barrier, people.

John Stones says he felt helpless having to watch England on TV, after being recalled to the squad for the first time since November 2019.

Stones, part of the side that reached the 2018 World Cup semi-final, fell out of favour at Manchester City in the following two seasons.

Image source, Getty Images

But a return to form in 2020-21 as part of the Premier League's meanest defence has led to an international recall.

He starts tonight too.

"It was very tough and I think it would be the same for everyone," Stones said.

"It was difficult watching from home. You feel a bit helpless that you can't contribute and be a part of the squad, but I used it as a motivation to strive to be better."

Would be a tad awkward if England didn't win now...