Joe Gomez and Luke Shaw start for England against Spain

ByEurosport

Updated 08/09/2018 at 18:08 GMT

Joe Gomez and Luke Shaw have been handed starts by England manager Gareth Southgate for their opening Nations League match against Spain at Wembley.

England's defender Joe Gomez (C) takes part in an open training session at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England on September 4, 2018, ahead of their international friendly football match against Spain on September 8.

Image credit: Eurosport

Liverpool youngster Gomez joins Manchester City defender John Stones in a three-man defence alongside Leicester captain Harry Maguire for England's first home match since their run to the World Cup semi-finals in July.

Revitalised Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier of Tottenham are expected to play wing-back roles as England commit to the 3-5-2 formation that has served them so well.

The rest of the team takes on a familiar look from the summer exploits with Harry Kane set to don golden boots after winning the Golden Boot in Russia with his six goals.

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FOLLOW ENGLAND V SPAIN LIVE

Gomez missed the World Cup finals due to an ankle injury that also kept him out of Liverpool's run to the Champions League final in May.

Wembley is sold out for England's first game since they rekindled public enthusiasm by reaching the World Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Croatia, yet Southgate still feels his side need to make progress against quality opposition.

England will be up against a new look Spain with coach Luis Enrique making his debut in the dugout in their first game since a shock exit to hosts Russia in the World Cup last 16.

World Cup runners-up Croatia are the other team in England's Nations League group with the teams meeting next month.