North Macedonia vs England LIVE commentary: Lewis makes Three Lions debut, Kane replaced by Watkins as Southgate’s men wrap up qualifying

England will play their final Euro 2024 qualifier this evening as they take on North Macedonia, live on talkSPORT.

The Three Lions had already secured their place at the tournament ahead of this international break, claiming top spot in Group C. 

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Gareth Southgate’s side beat Malta 2-0 at Wembley last week, however, their performance was not as smooth sailing as expected. 

And now they head to Macedonia without multiple key players, aiming to complete an unbeaten qualifying campaign.

North Macedonia vs England: Worrying withdrawals 

England have seen seven players pull out of the squad this international break. 

West Ham star Jarrod Bowen became the latest player to leave the team after picking up an injury in training.

That news came only hours after Kieran Trippier’s withdrawal due to a personal matter. 

Jude Bellingham, James Maddison, Lewis Dunk, Callum Wilson and Levi Colwill had also already pulled out at the start of the camp. 

Bowen was an unused substitute as the Three Lions took on Malta last time out. 

Unfortunately, he will be heading home without picking up a cap, and England will miss the in-form winger. 

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North Macedonia vs England: Teams 

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski, Manev, Serafimov, Musliu, Dimovski, Bardhi, Atanasov, Alimi, Alioski, Miovski, Elmas

Subs: Lijazovski, Ashkovski, Ademi, Churlinov, Aleksovski, Mitrovski, Kostadinov, Elezi, Ristovski, Daci, Siskovski, Todoroski

England: Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Guehi, Lewis, Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Saka, Foden, Grealish, Watkins

Subs: Tomori, Johnstone, Henderson, Phillips, Gallagher, Konsa, Rashford, Palmer, Kane, Ramsdale

Marcus Rashford remains with the England squad despite picking up a knock against Malta. 

The Man United forward was substituted after a collision with Trent Alexander-Arnold but the injury doesn’t seem to be serious. 

Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis and Kalvin Phillips all did not play a part in the last game, meaning they may start this time around. 

England squad

• Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone.
• Defenders: Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Fikayo Tomori, Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rico Lewis.
• Midfielders: Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Cole Palmer.
• Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins. 

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North Macedonia vs England: What has been said?

England boss Southgate does not want to see his side take their foot off the gas in their final Euro 2024 qualifier tonight. 

He said: “Why? What are we trying to do? Why would we accept that?

"I can’t imagine in any other environment where you would be thinking, 'Let’s just see these games out'.

"Maybe that’s why we haven’t got to where we need to as a team in the past.

"We might be ranked third in the world at the minute, but we’re two places off where we need to be, so we can’t waste games.

"If we’re going to be a top team, then the level of performance has got to be spot on every time.

"Also, it sets behaviours every day on the training pitch, off the training pitch. If you are going to be the top-ranked team, there’s no room for sloppiness or casualness.

"That’s got to be our drive."

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North Macedonia vs England: talkSPORT coverage 

This Euro 2024 qualifier will take place on Monday, November 20. 

Kick-off at the Tose Proeski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia is scheduled for 7:45pm. 

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham. 

Commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former England defender Stuart Pearce. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.