Gareth Southgate says Sunday’s final World Cup qualifier in Lithuania is a bonus game for him as preparations for Russia continue.
The Three Lions boss has revealed that he will look at different options from his squad in Vilnius, after England secured their qualification with their win over Slovenia on Thursday.
And with two warm-up games against Germany and Brazil already lined-up next month, he will also use this game as a chance to get the process started.
“I think it’s a game that we want to learn things from,” he explained following the squad’s arrival in Lithuania on Saturday.
“We had an objective to qualify and a plan in our mind of what was required to qualify and we are very clear in our mind of how we want to evolve and what we want to use the next period of time for.
“We’ve now got an extra game in which to do that which is great, so it is a good opportunity to look at a couple of things, we want to learn a few things from the game and we don’t want to waste an opportunity.
“So we’ll make changes [to the team], but we’ll make sure we get the balance right as it’s a game in which we want to give a strong performance and it’s a game we want to win.”
Southgate admits he was as disappointed as anybody with aspects of England’s performance against a stubborn Slovenia outfit at Wembley last week.
But he also knows that his players have to be ready to deal with the pressure that playing for their country brings, especially when facing teams who are more than happy to defend, which is expected from Sunday’s hosts.
“We didn’t perform at the level we wanted the other night, we’re not hiding that,” he added.
“But the object of qualification is achieved so it’s about how we go forward now and that process starts tomorrow.
“We want players with the right level of motivation for the game and with a point to prove.
“When you’re playing for England, there’s always something to lose but for the guys playing on Sunday, there’s an enormous amount to gain.
“I expect the game to be difficult, Lithuania defended well at Wembley and they’ll be difficult to break down but that’s a challenge that we’re used to and that’s what we’ll be prepared for.”
