Six weeks without a game, ranked 172nd in the world and little hope from their own players... England's game against Malta should be a routine victory, but home coach Michele Marcolini admits it's the kind of game he's 'dreamed of' playing a part in

Ranked 172nd in the world – which puts them just above Bermuda and Nepal – it is no surprise to find that Malta are approaching Friday night’s European Championship qualifier with England a low ceiling of expectation. Indeed the best news of the day for the Malta FA on Thursday was that the national stadium will be full to its 18,000 capacity.

England may arrive on this Mediterranean island at less than full throttle. Many of Gareth Southgate’s squad have not played a game for three weeks while those that played for Manchester City in the Champions League final are still sweating the alcohol from their systems.