Gareth Southgate is set to experiment with a back three against Germany in Dortmund on Wednesday night, with Burnley defender Michael Keane poised to win his first England senior cap.

Manager Southgate has kept his team for the friendly a closely-guarded secret, refusing to even tell his players the line-up on Tuesday night so it did not leak.

But Telegraph Sport understands that Southgate is expected to start Keane in a three-man defence with captain Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling.

John Stones is being saved for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania because Cahill is suspended for that match.

Antonio Conte has brought the back three back into fashion with Premier League leaders Chelsea this season and it has been used by a host of other managers including Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur’s Mauricio Pochettino.