Uncapped Nathaniel Chalobah and Harry Maguire will start from the bench in Malta as England manager Gareth Southgate wants them to earn their spurs.

The Three Lions take on the side ranked 190th in the world this evening as they look to take another step closer to next summer's World Cup.

Leicester defender Maguire and Watford midfielder Chalobah are the only uncapped members of the squad for the match in Malta, where Southgate plans to name a strong side.

"If the game plays out in a way that is positive for, maybe," the England boss said. "But they won't start.

"I think within the squad of players we've got, we've got real competition for places in every area of the field, so you have to earn the right to get in the squad, and earn the right to then get in the team.

"There is a bit of a process around that, getting used to how we work, but really pleased with the way both of them have adjusted and trained."

Under-fire West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart will start at the Ta' Qali National Stadium, but Tottenham defensive midfielder Eric Dier misses out through suspension.

Tottenham team-mate Kieran Trippier returned to his club yesterday through injury.

"Just Kieran Trippier had to go back to Tottenham," Southgate, who lost Jordan Pickford earlier in the week, added. "He wasn't able to train with us all week "He might have had a chance for Monday, but we think it's better to go back and recover properly. Everyone else is fit and available."