Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is dismissing the idea that England could do themselves a favour by missing out on top spot in their World Cup group in Russia.
The Three Lions are preparing to face Belgium in their final Group G contest on Thursday (7pm), with the two teams locked together on six points and sharing identical goals for and against records.
There is a school of thought which suggests the team finishing second will encounter a more straightforward passage to next month’s final in Moscow.
But Pickford, who is the youngest goalkeeper to represent England at a World Cup finals, insists Gareth Southgate’s men are determined to maintain the momentum gained from opening victories over Tunisia and Panama.