Tuchel targets chance to fine-tune England

Defeat by Senegal in June was damaging but real business is afoot next week culminating in the testing trip to Serbia

- David Hytner

Thomas Tuchel will be forced on to an outside stage this afternoon when he names his first England squad of the season for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday week and Serbia in Belgrade three days after. With Coldplay continuing with their tour dates at Wembley, the Football Association has been forced to find an alternative venue for Tuchel's announcement and will use the nearby Hilton hotel. It is no problem for Tuchel, who is a massive music fan.

Where are we with Tuchel's England gig? The top line from the previous get-together in June was provided by the soundtrack of boos. They came from the travelling fans at half-time and full-time in the lacklustre 1-0 win over Andorra in Barcelona and there were more when the final whistle went on the 3-1 friendly defeat against Senegal at the City Ground. Tuchel's team did show some zip and personality in the final 25 minutes against Senegal before Cheikh Sabaly's clinching goal in the 93rd minute. Tuchel had Eberechi Eze playing off Morgan Rogers up front, Noni Madueke on the right, Morgan Gibbs-White on the left and Jude Bellingham in a deeper-than-normal midfield role.