Report: Hodgson to rest Rooney, make wholesale changes for Slovakia match

England manager Roy Hodgson is set to make several changes for his side's final group match against Slovakia on Tuesday, with captain Wayne Rooney headlining a list of six players that could be replaced in the starting lineup.

The Three Lions head into the match knowing a point will secure progression to the knockout stages, while a victory will see them earn top spot in Group B.

Multiple British outlets report that Rooney will start Monday's contest at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on the bench, with Jordan Henderson to take his place in central midfield.

Dominic Fifield of The Guardian has more:

Jack Wilshere will also be integrated into a new-look midfield three in which Eric Dier is the only anticipated survivor.

The Tottenham Hotspur full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose will also be given a breather, having illuminated the tournament so far, with Hodgson confident Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand will have a similar positive impact. Mauricio Pochettino employed a similar policy of rotating his full-back partnerships at Spurs last season.

In attack, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy - who both came off the bench to score in the 2-1 victory over Wales - are expected to get the nod up front, replacing Harry Kane and the disappointing Raheem Sterling.

In the buildup to the group finale, Hodgson discussed the potential for sweeping changes to his XI.

"It wouldn’t be a problem if I wanted to keep the same side but there are players who would like to play and have been knocking on the door to play," the bench boss said. "I have the option because everyone is anxious to show what they want to do. It’s a question of what we’d like to do, rather than what is necessary."

Rooney, extolling the virtues of the 23-man squad, added: "Everyone has seen the quality of players which we mentioned before the tournament.

"We have a squad of 23 and, whoever the manager decides to play, we have players who can change games as they did against Wales. All of the strikers are goal-scorers and, as this season has shown, they will score. We have good-quality players who can score goals, so it’s important we create the chances for them to do that."