Djed Spence and Marc Guehi start for England against Ghana in World Cup curveball

Djed Spence and Marc Guehi have been given the nod to start England’s World Cup clash against Ghana.

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka is on the bench again for the Three Lions’ second World Cup group game, live on talkSPORT.

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Guehi replaces John Stones, while Spence comes in for Nico O’Reilly. The rest of the players who started against Croatia retain their starting XI spots.

England XI: Pickford, James, Guehi, Konsa, Spence, Anderson, Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Kane, Gordon

Substitutes: O’Reilly, Stones, Saka, Rashford, Chalobah, Dean Henderson, Jordan Henderson, Burn, Mainoo, Rogers, Watkins, Eze, Toney, Trafford, Quansah

Jude Bellingham makes his 50th appearance for England, while Declan Rice earns his 75th cap for the Three Lions.

Guehi was a surprise omission from the starting XI to face Croatia as Stones and Ezri Konsa were paired in the heart of defence.

Manchester City defender Guehi replaced Stones with four minutes to go in Texas.

Spence made his World Cup debut as he replaced Jude Bellingham late on in England’s first group game.

Reece James shifted into the centre of midfield and the Tottenham full-back switched to right-back.

Saka latest

Arsenal winger Saka came off the bench and assisted Marcus Rashford in the 4-2 opening victory over Croatia at the World Cup.

However, England head coach Thomas Tuchel previously revealed he will manage Saka’s training load amid fitness concerns.

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Tuchel hinted that if Saka was to play against the African nation, then his appearance would come in a reduced capacity.

“Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready,” he said on Friday. “Once we get to the last game in the group, it is the moment.

“He was strong [on Thursday] in training in small spaces. It’s just a matter of if the game is open and up and down.”

England will win Group L and reach the last 32 if they beat Ghana, and Panama do not defeat Croatia.

talkSPORT will have live commentary from Massachusetts.

Adrian Durham will be the host before commentary from Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

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