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Liverpool players' injuries could mean changes for England against Switzerland

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Laurence Griffiths

First, ahead of the friendly against Norway, Roy Hodgson lost Daniel Sturridge to a thigh injury. Now, Jordan Henderson has injured his ankle during training. The midfielder has yet to be ruled out for tonight's match against Switzerland, but he's certainly doubtful to play.

That leaves Hodgson in a bit of a tight spot. He's already hurting, literally, mentioning that he has ten players unavailable due to injury. With Sturridge out, it's likely Danny Welbeck will take his place up top, alongside the world's most uninspiring captain in Wayne Rooney.

But what will become of the midfield? Against Norway, Henderson and Jack Wilshere were partnered up in central midfield, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Raheem Sterling out wide. Should Roy elect to stick with his 4-4-2, it's likely James Milner will replace Henderson, as he did during the training game when the Liverpool man limped off.

However, there's also the possibility that Hodgson could shift to a 4-3-3 against Switzerland -- which would give Fabian Delph his first start for the senior England side. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was rather rubbish in the friendly, would drop to the bench, and Delph and Milner would come on to play alongside Wilshere. Up top, it'd be Rooney, Welbeck and Sterling.

It's interesting to think about, but it's probably not going to happen. Hodgson loves experience, so it's difficult to see him using Delph in the game that kicks off England's push for Euro 2016. It's also hard to see him shifting Rooney out wide. He's experimented with it, of course, but Rooney isn't fond of being pushed to the left. Considering he's been made captain despite his steadily decreasing exhibition of talent, it's likely that pains will be taken to make sure Rooney is as happy as he can be. Otherwise, he may not play well, and how would England cope?

In theory, Fabian Delph could very well start for England on this evening. But considering this England side, it's tough to see that actually occurring in practice.