Joe Cole predicts whether Kieran Trippier will start for England vs Senegal

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Kieran Trippier started on the bench for England’s win over Wales, and will hope to return to the starting XI vs Senegal on Sunday.

The Newcastle United defender has featured in every World Cup game so far for the Three Lions, coming on at left-back on Tuesday night.

Now Gareth Southgate is preparing his side for a knockout game against Senegal, and has a lot of selection dilemmas on his plate.

We saw Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden come into the side and excel, while the reliable Kyle Walker also made his comeback from injury.

It is a good headache for Southgate to have, but it leaves Trippier in limbo. He is an important player for England, and will hope to play his part in helping the side qualify for the quarter finals.

However, pundit Joe Cole does not think that the £12million right-back will return to the starting lineup this weekend.

Cole explains why Trippier will not start for England vs Senegal

The former England international has given his views on who will start against Senegal in his column for the Telegraph.

“Against Senegal I would start with the same defence as faced Wales,” Cole wrote.

“At right-back Kyle Walker is great security against an opponent with pace on the counterattack. England will expect to have more of the ball but Senegal have speed on the transition.

“I would expect Kieran Trippier to come back into the side were England to face France in the quarter-finals. Then Gareth would naturally think about going back to three centre-halves and wing-backs.”

Cole is probably right

While it is not what Newcastle fans will want to hear, it feels highly unlikely that Trippier will start on Sunday. Southgate will surely continue with Walker, as the Manchester City ace looks to regain match fitness.

That is a blow for Newcastle’s first choice right-back, but Cole’s quarter final prediction for Trippier will probably turn out to be true as well.

If England do make it to the final eight, they will either play France or Poland. The world champions are the most likely opponent, and that would probably see Southgate revert to a back five. That is a formation that he has had success with in the past – especially against the stronger sides.

And if that does happen, Trippier should find himself at right wing-back, with Walker moved into the right-sided centre-back role.

The World Cup is a squad game, and Trippier’s time in this tournament will come again – if England make it past Senegal.