England boss Gareth Southgate says he wants to create a "club environment" with a natural progression for young players to step up to the first team.

In-form Arsenal forward Emile Smith Rowe was called up for the qualifiers from the Under-21s.

"Emile was very close to being in the initial squad," said Southgate.

"There is an opportunity any time we are training here for players to transfer across. We want that club environment where there is a natural progression."

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Lashing it down, and I mean it is absolutely bucketing it down, and they've got the sprinklers on to make it a slick surface.

Slick? It'll be like It's A Knockout.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Ron Flowers was a legendary figure at Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as a hugely respected and admired member of England's 1966 World Cup squad, even though he did not figure in any games.

Such was his enduring quality and standing that manager Sir Alf Ramsey wanted the experience and ability of Flowers at his disposal, should the need have arisen during his bid to win the Jules Rimet Trophy.

It was at Wolves, however, where he will be most fondly remembered as a progressive midfield player who was able to adapt to a more defensive role later in his career.

Flowers is one of the club's iconic personalities and greatest players, with a career stretching over 515 appearances.

He remained in touch with the Wolves supporters who idolised him when he continued to run a popular sports shop in the city after he retired from playing.

A huge roar just went up from the Albania fans who have got in early and are situated in the lower portion of the West Stand.

They've just spotted the visiting players entering the pitch and the heavens have opened just as they are about to upload a couple of selfies onto Insta/Snapchat etc.

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier today we received news that former England and Wolves midfielder Ron Flowers has died at the age of 87.

Flowers was a non-playing member of the England squad which won the 1966 World Cup and was awarded a winners' medal in 2009.

He earned 49 caps for England and made 515 appearances for Wolves between 1952 and 1967.

Flowers helped the Midlands club to three First Division titles and also won the 1960 FA Cup during his 15 years at Molineux.

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With no Rice available, what would be the alternative?

I usually prefer mash or couscous.

Five defenders in the England starting line up, with Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling in attack.

Man of the moment Emile Smith Rowe is on the bench.

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell, James, Phillips, Henderson, Sterling, Foden, Kane.

We are live from Wembley tonight as England host Albania (19:45 GMT), that is one of three games in this group.

Elsewhere there's Home Nations interest with Northern Ireland taking on Lithuania.

European champions Italy and semi-finalists Denmark are in action too.

• See the full list of fixtures here

Image source, Getty Images

Albania (h). San Marino (a).

England need four points from their remaining two qualifiers to complete the job and book their tickets to Qatar next year.

It's a formality, isn't it...?