Gareth Southgate is considering bringing in Eric Dier for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden and moving Jordan Henderson further forward.

That would mean Dele Alli missing out after having struggled with his fitness since injuring his thigh in the opening group game against Tunisia. He missed the next two matches, although he returned for the last-16 tie against Colombia.

Alli was substituted during that game and, despite Southgate’s insistence that he was fit to face Sweden, that may not be the case.

Playing Dier and Henderson in the same team would not mean a shift in formation, as Southgate plans to continue with just one player in the midfield “pivot” role.

The switch, if it happens, would be an interesting one, given the consensus was that Dier did not impress in that position when he came on against Colombia. In fact, England appeared far more balanced when Dier moved back into the defensive three and Henderson reverted to the holding role.