Al Ettifaq midfielder Jordan Henderson is reportedly set to start for England when the Three Lions face Ukraine in Saturday's Euro 2024 qualifier.
The former Liverpool man has faced scathing criticism for joining the Saudi Pro League side in the summer transfer window, ending his 12-year association with the Reds to reunite with Steven Gerrard.
Henderson has made a bright start to life at Al Ettifaq with two assists from four appearances, but he has been denounced by a leading LGBTQ+ England fan group following his support for the community during his time at Liverpool.
Homosexuality is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, and 3LIONSPRIDE have stated that they will no longer support Henderson individually following his most recent call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad.
It has been widely reported that Henderson is earning weekly wages of £700,000 in the Middle East - claims which the midfielder denied in a recent interview, during which he also affirmed that he did not join Al Ettifaq for financial reasons.
© Reuters
Henderson's interview also attracted widespread condemnation, but according to Sky Sports News, the 33-year-old is still expected to be named in Southgate's XI for the clash with Ukraine.
The report adds that Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are set to join Henderson in the midfield triumvirate, and Southgate believes that England's LGBTQ+ fanbase will express their support for the ex-Liverpool captain when the game kicks off.
"I think Jordan expressed himself this week that he would be sad if that's how they felt. His feeling towards that community hasn't changed," Southgate told a press conference.
"As a team, I'm sure all of our fans are going to get behind the team when the game starts. I understand some of the comments that have been made and I respect the comments that have been made, but what has also said is they will get behind the team when we play, and I'm sure they will get behind Jordan when the game starts as well.
The Three Lions boss also praised Henderson's reaction to the ongoing criticism and stated that he did not consider dropping the midfielder due to the furore, adding: " I don't pick the team based on external reaction, as I'm sure you're aware over the course of the last seven years.
© Reuters
"He's a very experienced professional. He's very mature at handling any situation really. He's trained well this week, the whole group has, and everyone is available for us which is really pleasing."
Should Henderson turn out for England against Ukraine at the Stadion Wrocław in Poland, the midfielder will win his 78th cap for his nation, whom he has scored three goals and provided 11 assists for since making his debut in 2010.
Henderson's former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been a strong candidate to start in midfield, but the Liverpool man was forced to withdraw through injury alongside Jack Grealish.
Kalvin Phillips, Eberechi Eze, James Maddison and Conor Gallagher are also vying for minutes in the centre of the park, while the uncapped Levi Colwill and Eddie Nketiah are likely to be named on the bench.
England sit top of Euro 2024 qualifying Group C with 12 points from their opening four games and eased past Ukraine 2-0 at Wembley in March thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
No Data Analysis info
Spain
Scotland
Norway
Georgia
Cyprus
France
Netherlands
Greece
Rep. Ireland
Gibraltar
England
Italy
Ukraine
N. Macedonia
Malta
Turkey
Croatia
Wales
Armenia
Latvia
Albania
Czech Republic
Poland
Moldova
Faroe Islands
Belgium
Austria
Sweden
Azerbaijan
Estonia
Hungary
Serbia
Montenegro
Lithuania
Bulgaria
Denmark
Slovenia
Finland
Kazakhstan
N. Ireland
San Marino
Romania
Switzerland
Israel
Belarus
Kosovo
Andorra
Portugal
Slovakia
Luxembourg
Iceland
Bosnia H'vina
Liechtenstein
