Thomas Tuchel has backed Alex Scott to challenge Declan Rice for a place in England’s first-choice midfield after the Bournemouth youngster impressed on his first international start in Saturday’s 7-0 Nations League thrashing of Croatia in Rijeka.

With Rice withdrawn from the squad, the 23-year-old Scott partnered Elliot Anderson in midfield and dictated play against Croatian veterans Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic. Harry Kane scored twice, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka (two) and Morgan Rogers also on target in a record defeat for Croatia.

Asked if Rice should worry about his place, Tuchel said: ‘Of course, and he does, we need performances like this. We will not survive on two central midfielders. Declan knows about his importance, and he’s one of the very best midfielders in Europe. Nothing will change that.’

England, second in their group behind World Cup winners Spain, host the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday. Scott, who made his debut days earlier against Czechia, said he and Anderson ‘work really well together’.