Gareth Southgate told to rest Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Luke Shaw for World Cup clash with Wales as England legend Stuart Pearce explains why three players should make first appearances

England legend Stuart Pearce has named three players he would rest against Wales in the nation’s final World Cup group stage fixture.

A dull 0-0 draw with United States has England on the brink of the knockout stages.

This means Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate could make some changes to his starting XI, if he feels brave enough.

With Harry Kane suffering a knock against Iran and other players not quite looking at the desired level of form, it might be the ideal time for alteration.

And Pearce has explained the three players he would drop to the bench and a trio who he might bring into the crunch clash with neighbours Wales on Tuesday – live on talkSPORT.

“A couple I would like to see not play would be my starting point because we cannot afford for them to be injured for the knockout stages and beyond.

“Declan Rice, number one, Luke Shaw, number two, natural balance out on the left-hand side. We have no natural left-footed replacement there.

“They are two individuals that I am thinking to myself, ‘there is no chance I would play them, I’ve got to keep them safe’.

“Kane might be one of those who falls into that and I don’t think it would be a bad thing to see somebody that offers a run in behind as a change, a Callum Wilson or someone of that ilk, or Rashford if he wants to play him down the middle to offer some energy upfront.

“Certainly there are three there that I would probably make sure I wouldn’t start in any way, shape, or form.”

On the subject of who might come in elsewhere on the pitch, Pearce believes some stars currently lacking match fitness should get some minutes against the Welsh.

He added: “I think you have got to give Walker some football if he’s available.

“I don’t know his physical state at the moment but he gives you the option to play three at the back, he gives you the option to have pace at right-back, if you need it against wingers that are going to cause you a problem.

“Kalvin Phillips is another one. Injury situation, he needs some minutes, depending on what state his physical prowess is in at this moment in time.”

Asked if he’d play Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pearce replied: “If Walker was fit to drop in, I probably would, is the answer. If Walker is fit I would play him right-side of the three and play Trent as a right wing-back.

“If I’m looking not to play Shaw, in a back-four, someone has to play left-back and that person looks like Trippier, so if you move Tripper to there, Trent might be your right-back at that stage.”