She might not be playing, but Alessia Russo will almost certainly be cheering from the stands tonight against the USA, where she spent two years plying her trade in North Caroline before joining Manchester United in 2020.

Now that the Lionesses' top goal scorer Ellen White has retired, Russo has turned from Euros 'super sub' to main number nine.

Read more about the 23-year-old's rise, that semi-final goal and how she's embracing life as a Euros winner here.

Image source, Getty Images

Anna Thompson
BBC Sport at Wembley

There was a definite air of excitement walking up Wembley Way with fans adorning England shirts and scarves - and the odd fancy dress.

After the success in the summer, England are now eyeing world glory and what better way to test themselves than by taking on the best.

This may be billed as a friendly but both sides will be wanting to lay down a marker ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Will it be Uncle Sam or St George who will be celebrating tonight?

Image source, Anna Thompson

It has been absolutely BUCKETING it down in London. Not stopping these lot from enjoying the occasion, though.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Wembley

Sarina Wiegman rarely goes rogue in her team selection but she is forced into doing something different tonight with Alessia Russo injured.

There's not many natural number nines in the squad but several players who can play there, including Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly who are all in the starting XI.

It looks like Daly will stick to a full-back role but the front line could be anything. Lauren James and Ebony Salmon, who are on the bench, can also play there.

Away from the pitch, an inquiry into America's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has uncovered "systemic" abuse and misconduct in the USA's national league.

The findings were released earlier this week after allegations were made last year against North Carolina Courage's English head coach Paul Riley, who was sacked. Riley has denied the accusations.

England players will join the US team in wearing teal armbands during this evening's game "to stand in solidarity with sexual abuse victims".

Megan Rapinoe said the match will provide a "nice distraction" to the Yates Report.

Image source, Getty Images

When Alex Morgan taunted England fans with her tea drinking celebration at the 2019 World Cup, it signified a feeling of invincibility that ran through the United States' team.

They went on to win the tournament for a second successive time after beating England 2-1 in the semi-finals.

It was a similar feeling of despair for England, who had come close but still could not beat the best team in the world.

But now, it is not fear that the Lionesses feel but a sense of optimism that they might have finally closed the gap.

England boss Sarina Wiegman said that she "did not know" if the USA were still the best team in the world and could not wait to find out how much closer her side have got.

Read more here.

Izzy Christiansen
Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Given that Lauren Hemp has the number nine shirt, it would suggest that she's playing down the middle.

And I don't think Sarina Wiegman is one to play mind games on the opposition.

The strengths of Hemp are quite suited to that false nine role too, so I wonder if Hemp will be in that false nine role tonight, to be that extra person in midfield and to pull the USA's defence out of position.

But I do think there will also be a lot of rotation between the front three tonight.

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can listen to live radio commentary from BBC Radio 5 Live by clicking the play icon at the top of this page.

Build-up is underway now.

Anna Thompson
BBC Sport at Wembley

Wembley Way is thronging as thousands of fans make their way from the Underground to the stadium.

And they are greeted by the Lionesses on all of the lampposts.

There’s also ones of coach Sarina Weigman who was instrumental in guiding England to European success, which is a nice touch.

Image source, BBC Sport

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Wembley

Sarina Wiegman makes five changes from the England side who beat Luxembourg in their final World Cup qualifier.

With injured duo Alessia Russo and Leah Williamson unavailable, Alex Greenwood starts at centre-back and Beth Mead could play through the middle of the attack.

Rachel Daly looks set to start at left-back again with Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp and Mary Earps returning to the side.

England XI: Earps, Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Daly, Walsh, Stanway, Kirby, Kelly, Hemp, Mead.

Vlatko Andonovski has made four changes to the USA side from their victory over Nigeria.

Striker Alex Morgan and midfielders Julie Ertz and Sam Mewis are all out for the USA but Megan Rapinoe starts.

Lyon Champions League winner Lindsey Horan captains the team, while former Man City midfielder Rose Lavelle starts. Forward Mallory Pugh is on the bench.

USA XI: Naeher, Cook, Rodman, Huerta, Horan, Smith, Girma, Rapinoe, Lavelle, Sullivan, Fox.

Okay, let's get the bad news out of the way first.

England are without captain Leah Williamson, prolific goal scorer Alessia Russo and defender Lucy Parker, who had earned her first senior call up - all through injury.

It's perhaps not going to be the match people were expecting with two ginormous parts of England's Euro-winning squad missing out.

But, in front of a sold-out Wembley, it's still going to be a fantastic spectacle.

So, with that in mind, let's get some team news...

Image source, Getty Images

Yes that's right, European champions England face world champions the USA this evening in front of a packed crowd at Wembley.

Just 68 days ago England defeated Germany to become champions of Europe and this fixture has been firmly in the diary since just a few days after that.

One of the last times these two faced each other the USA knocked the Lionesses out at the semi-final stage of the 2019 World Cup, which the USA then went on to win.

Yes, this game might only be a friendly, but pride, bragging rights and a good old ego boost - all ingredients to make for a superb match-up.

Are we ready?

It's the European Champions...

Image source, Getty Images

Against the World Champions...

Image source, Getty Images

Strap in, we're in for a treat.