Watkins set for England start in Wales friendly

England head coach Thomas Tuchel is poised to hand striker Ollie Watkins his first international start since November in the friendly against Wales on Thursday night.

Captain Harry Kane is unavailable after picking up a foot injury while playing for Bayern Munich at the weekend - but hopes to be fit to face Latvia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.

It is understood Watkins is in line to replace England's record scorer as the lone centre-forward for the visit of Craig Bellamy's side to Wembley.

The Aston Villa striker has been a regular in the England set-up since his debut in March 2021, but last started in the 3-1 Nations League victory in Greece - when he scored under interim boss Lee Carsley in November 2024.

Watkins, 29, also famously netted a 90th-minute winner in England's semi-final triumph over the Netherlands at Euro 2024, booking their place in the showpiece against Spain which they lost 2-1.

With Villa struggling at the start of this season, Watkins has scored just once, in his side's 3-1 win over Fulham.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is set to captain the side in Kane's absence. The 26-year-old was named on Monday by Tuchel as one of the options, alongside Jordan Henderson and John Stones.