Gareth Southgate insists he has to ‘balance freshness with stability’ ahead of Wales clash

Gareth Southgate wants a complete World Cup performance as England look to progress to the knockout phase as group winners and end neighbours Wales’ Qatar stay in the process.

Having enjoyed their best ever start to a major tournament by thrashing Iran 6-2 last Monday, the side played out a frustrating 0-0 stalemate with the United States four days later.

England are assured of progress to the last 16 should they avoid a four-goal defeat to Wales, whose hopes hang by a thread after drawing with the US and losing to Iran in heart-breaking fashion.

Gareth Southgate has a selection headache ahead of England’s World Cup clash with Wales

England’s stars will be looking to bounce back from a goalless draw with USA last time out

All eyes will be on Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium as the rivals go toe-to-toe on Tuesday, when Southgate’s men can bring the curtain down on Wales’ first World Cup appearance since 1958.

‘We want to win football matches,’ the England boss said. ‘We have got to balance freshness with stability, so that’s always a decision you’re making when you’re picking a team.

Southgate (left) admitted he faces a team selection headache ahead of the clash on Tuesday

England’s talent-laden World Cup squad is packed with a host of international superstars

‘We’ve got a chance to win the group with a positive result, so there’s a lot for both teams resting on the game.

‘There’s no game where there isn’t pressure on either team and really our performance is the key.

Wales are aiming to cause a huge upset by beating England in the tense group stage match

‘We played well with the ball in our first game, scored a lot of goals. The second game was tougher for us, we defended really well.

‘Now we want to put both elements of the game together.’