Debut incoming! 18-year-old Man City starlet Rico Lewis set to start for England against North Macedonia

A day before his 19th birthday, the versatile teenager is expected to be handed a start in England's final Euro 2024 qualifier by manager Gareth Southgate, according to The Athletic. The rising Man City star has shown maturity beyond his years in a number of appearances under Pep Guardiola since making his first-team breakthrough in 2022 and may be deployed at left-back amid something of a shortage in that position.

Most of Lewis' minutes so far this season have come in the Champions League, where he has laid on two assists and contributed to four wins out of four so far in Group G. He was drafted into Southgate's senior England squad alongside Chelsea star and fellow Man City product Cole Palmer, amid a raft of injuries.

Lewis, who is capable of playing at full-back or in defensive midfield, has recently said that he is relishing the opportunity to make an impression for England. “Anywhere I played, I would relish it,” he said. “Whether it is right-back, midfield, left-back — I am not really bothered. I just love playing football and at the moment it is going really well. Any opportunity I get, I will do my best to take it.”

England wrap up their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Monday night in Skopje having already secured top spot in their group. Lewis will be hoping to make an impression to earn a place in Southgate's next squad, with the Three Lions facing Brazil in March.