DANIEL STURRIDGE will start England's eagerly-awaited World Cup qualifier with Scotland at Wembley tonight.

Gareth Southgate has selected Sturridge ahead of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy as he looks to strengthen his claims for the England manager's job on a permanent basis.

Sturridge started last month's goalless draw in Slovenia, but has been an irregular starter for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

Having started on the bench in Slovenia, Wayne Rooney returns to England's starting line-up and will play in the hole behind Sturridge.

Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling will fill the wide positions, with Eric Dier playing alongside Jordan Henderson at the base of midfield.

Kyle Walker has been passed fit to play at right-back, with Gary Cahill partnering John Stones at centre-half.

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has named Newcastle's Grant Hanley as one of his centre-halves, but there is no place in the Scottish line-up for Magpies winger Matt Ritchie.

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Hart; Walker, Cahill, Stones, Rose; Dier, Henderson; Sterling, Rooney, Lallana; Sturridge.

SCOTLAND (4-5-1): Gordon; Anya, Hanley, Berra, Wallace; Morrison, Fletcher, Brown, Forrest, Snodgrass; Griffiths.