On the plus side, Lee Carsley now has a ready-made reply the next time he's asked if all of England's best young attackers can fit into the same team. The downside for the interim manager is that in finding out the answer he might have dented his prospects of getting the job full-time.

The obvious reaction to England's shock 2-1 defeat by Greece on Thursday would be to blame the radical selection of stand-in coach Lee Carsley, but the key moments came not in the crowded midfield but when England had numbers galore at the back.

Lee Carsley sidestepped questions about whether he wants the England job on a permanent basis after the interim boss said he will “hopefully” be returning to his role with the Under-21s following next month’s fixtures.

The Three Lions were beaten 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday night after going without Harry Kane - due to injury - or any recognised striker and attempting to fit in all their attack-minded midfielders

Lee Carsley said he would be happy to return to his old job as England Under-21s manager after a chastening 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley Stadium. Carsley is in interim charge of the England senior team and last night oversaw a defeat that would appear to dent his chances of being appointed to the job permanently.