Harry Maguire is expected to start England’s UEFA Nations League game away at the Republic of Ireland on Saturday evening.

The Three Lions take on their bitter rivals at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this weekend in the first match under interim manager Lee Carsley.

Maguire was a stalwart of the successful Gareth Southgate era, but injury ruled him out of contention for Euro 2024 – the first international tournament he did not partake in since making his England debut in 2017.

The Mirror report that Maguire is in line to start against Ireland, and Carsley was not shy in praising the 31-year-old at his pre-match press conference.

“He’s a leader,” Carsley said of Maguire. “He leads by example in terms of his preparation on and off the pitch. Obviously his quality is there to see as well when we do our sessions, so that’s what I’m expecting to see.

“In the games that I’ve seen him play, I think he’s got stronger as the games have gone on. Also, obviously, he didn’t play in Manchester United’s last game, but he’s come into camp physically very, very good.

“And mentally, yeah, he’s been good on and off the pitch I felt. What I want we’ve already had in terms of the way he’s been around the squad, what I expected.”

Maguire started United’s first two games of the Premier League campaign, a 1-0 win against Fulham and 2-1 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion, though was withdrawn in the latter stages of both matches in order to manage his fitness.

He then came off the bench late on in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at home to rivals Liverpool.

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