Lee Carsley launches staunch defence of his gung-ho tactics against Greece as he claims England must experiment if they want to end trophy drought

England interim head coach Lee Carsley has staunchly defended his gung-ho approach in the embarrassing loss to Greece – but is still considering major changes against Finland on Sunday night.

Carsley has been fiercely criticised for his team selection since England slumped to defeat at Wembley on Thursday night but he came out fighting on Saturday in justifying his controversial tactics.

Nevertheless, the 50-year-old is planning as many as five changes to the ultra-attacking side that lost to Greece, with Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon among the players sweating.

There have also been indications in training that Trent Alexander-Arnold, a right back by trade, could play on the opposite flank on Sunday.

Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Angel Gomes, Marc Guehi and Kyle Walker are among the players who could come into Carsley’s team as the head coach aims to add balance to his set-up.

Carsley named an experimental starting XI against Greece and England lost 2-1 on the night

Carsley sat next to Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi (left) at Saturday’s press conference

However, Carsley is adamant he does not regret his previous team selection, insisting England must take themselves out of their comfort zone if they are to end their 58-year trophy famine.

‘I understand the interest and the criticism, which is fine. I’m really wary of the fact that the last time we won something was 1966 so we have to have that ability to try something different,’ said Carsley.

‘Would I change anything? Maybe. Obviously the result I would change. But it’s not put me off. I don’t want to sit back in a month’s time with regrets that I was safe. This is a great opportunity, not only for myself, for the rest of the staff and the players to try something different.

‘Just to go with the same squad and the same players and almost, not doing the same thing, but not being as… not trying as many things.

Harry Kane (right) missed the Greece game with an injury but he could return against Finland

Carsley was seen speaking to Kane at training on Saturday, while Ollie Watkins (left) looked on

‘Your human instinct is to be safe, to go with things that you’re comfortable with but it was important that in this period I felt that I have to be out of my comfort zone, I have to try something because we’ve got to put ourselves in a position where we can win.

‘To think that we can just do the same again and expect something different is naive.’