Lamine Yamal to be handed new Spain shirt number as lineup vs England is ‘leaked’

Résumé détaillé

World champions boosted by the return of star forward against England

Lamine Yamal will have a new shirt number for Spain, with the Barcelona star expected to return to the starting lineup against England.

Yamal, a scorer at Wembley in the reverse fixture back in September, missed Spain’s Nations League victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday with a knee problem.

In his absence, the reigning world and European champions eased to a 2-0 win in Prague as Atletico Madrid pair Alex Baena and Marc Pubill scored in either half to maintain La Roja’s 100 percent record in Group A3.

As such, Spain have already qualified for the Nations League knockout phase, but still need a point against England to guarantee top spot and, potentially, an easier quarter-final tie in March.

Hopes of extending their unbeaten run to 44 international matches have been boosted as Luis de la Fuente has confirmed Yamal is fit to start at the Metropolitano Stadium, while hitting out at reports that the Barcelona winger gets preferential treatment.

“We’ll see if he starts. If he does, it’s because he’s in perfect condition,” the Spain boss told reporters.

“You never know what the game will take. He’s in perfect condition. He’s been with his club. He’s rested very well. He’s in perfect condition.

“Lamine is fantastic. We would do the whole process again. He’s made a perfect recovery, and the welcome he and Mikel [Oyarzabal] received was spectacular.

“Two more members of our family together, and we’re happy that they’re doing so well.

Début de l'article, extrait de Evening Standard. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.