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No Scottish players in Charlie Nicholas' England v Scotland best XI

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016
Image: Charlie Nicholas picks his best England v Scotland XI

We challenged Charlie Nicholas to pick his best XI from England and Scotland ahead of Friday's World Cup Qualifier at Wembley.

The Soccer Saturday pundit, who won 20 caps for Scotland, does not think any of Gordon Strachan's players would make a combined XI, but has picked a player who has not been included in Gareth Southgate's squad.

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He has omitted Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney and Tottenham striker Harry Kane, despite the duo returning to their respective club's starting line-ups at the weekend.

Here's who Nicholas rates as the best fit and available XI, and the reasons for his selections...

Charlie Nicholas

"I'm afraid to say none of Scotland's players would displace an England player. Perhaps the goalkeeper role would be the closest competition, with David Marshall in good form for Hull while Joe Hart has been bombed out by Manchester City.

"England have been pretty average but they've still got too much quality for Scotland, who really do need to go out and win to get back in the mix. A draw isn't much good.

Robert Snodgrass of Hull City celebrates his equaliser
Image: Hull's Robert Snodgrass does not make the cut

"I'd definitely go with John Stones at centre-back and then Gary Cahill over Chris Smalling because of the hammer blow Jose Mourinho has handed him.

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"Then I'd have Danny Rose at left-back and Nathaniel Clyne, who is a little more defensively assured than Kyle Walker, at right-back.

"Then I'd go for Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere over Eric Dier. I wouldn't want Wilshere playing against us, he was immense last time he faced Scotland, and England don't need a holding midfielder for this fixture.

"In the absence of Dele Alli, I'd play Ross Barkley because ultimately he'll take over from Wayne Rooney. As soon as Alli was injured he should have been called up.

Everton's Ross Barkley celebrates after scoring against West Ham
Image: Ross Barkley makes the XI, despite not being included in Gareth Southgate's squad

"He's the sort of player I'd be worried about us trying to sit in and defend against because he'll run at you and get shots away.

"Robert Snodgrass is probably our main threat but he wouldn't get in ahead of Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling, who are the two that really frighten me. Sterling is the one who can really open us up with his pace.

Marcus Rashford is a rising star in the England set-up
Image: Charlie has chosen Marcus Rashford ahead of Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane

"Then in attack I'd pick Marcus Rashford. Fair play to Harry Kane for putting that penalty away but he looked rusty against Arsenal and I think Rashford would cause more problems with the lack of pace in Scotland's defence."

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