Shoot’s England XI to beat Malta on Saturday

CB – Chris Smalling

Chelsea’s Gary Cahill got the nod in both the Euros under Hodgson and the Slovakia game under Allardyce, but I’d go for Chris Smalling on Saturday.

Cahill, 30, has not had the best starts to the season for Chelsea and made a couple of high-profile errors, notably against Arsenal a few weeks ago, whereas Smalling has looked solid in the middle of the Manchester United defence since returning to the side.

As much as Cahill is the tried and tested at the back for England, Smalling deserves a chance to stake his claim for a regular starting berth.