Tuesday’s briefing: Tuchel ready for Serbia test, Clarke urges caution for Scots

England head coach Thomas Tuchel hopes the focus will remain on his side’s World Cup qualifying exploits as they shape up for their potentially combustible showdown in Serbia on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland will be expected to stand the heat in Armenia, while Wales boss Craig Bellamy is not under-estimating the challenge posed by his side’s friendly against Canada in Swansea.

Meanwhile Scotland’s bid to return to the World Cup finals remains on track after a comfortable 2-0 win over Belarus behind closed doors in Hungary.

Tuchel hopes Serbia clash will pass without incident

Thomas Tuchel is hopeful England’s World Cup qualifier will pass without incident but captain Harry Kane has confirmed UEFA’s three-step protocol for discriminatory behaviour has been discussed by the players.

World Cup qualification continues in Belgrade at the vast Rajko Mitic Stadium, where the capacity has been reduced by 15 per cent due to previous fan behaviour.

FIFA punished the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) for, among other things, “discrimination and racist abuse” in June’s match against Andorra and face further sanctions if there are issues against England.

Asked if he talked about such potential issues with England’s players, boss Tuchel said: “I didn’t but the people in charge at the FA talked with us about it, yeah. We are aware.

“And, still, I always believe in the good, so I always believe that we will have a high-level sporting competition and celebrate the sport for what it is.”

Clarke insists Scotland still have long way to go

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has urged caution despite seeing his side continue their fine start to their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Belarus in Zalaegerszeg.

Che Adams opened the scoring just before half-time in the behind-closed-doors clash in Hungary before an own goal from defender Zakhar Volkov sealed the three points for the visitors.

Victory followed the Scots’ impressive opening draw against Denmark in Copenhagen but Clarke warned: “It is a good start, but it is only a start. Four points will never qualify anybody for anything.

“There are two big games next month, but the effort from the players, the help I have had from my staff has been great.”

Bellamy hoping his Wales risk pays off

Wales boss Craig Bellamy admits he could get his “arse kicked” after choosing to play friendlies against Canada and England.

Bellamy’s side host Jesse Marsch’s Canucks in Swansea on Tuesday before travelling to Wembley next month ahead of resuming World Cup qualifying action against Belgium.

“I chose them,” Bellamy said of the first two friendlies of his reign after six Nations League ties and five World Cup qualifiers.

“Give me the toughest. I’m fully aware I could get beaten and get my arse kicked. But what I would gain from playing a lesser team?

“The Canada one really fitted us and it was nice to get the Tuesday after the trip to Kazakhstan. Monday would have been really difficult for us.

“The opportunity of England to play at Wembley. Never underestimate it, amazing.”

Hallgrimsson hopes his Republic side can stand the heat

Heimir Hallgrimsson has warned the Republic of Ireland not to be caught cold in sweltering Armenia as they look for a first win of their World Cup qualification campaign.

Ireland will run out at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan at 8pm local time on Tuesday evening with the temperature likely to be still at an energy-sapping 30C.

They will do so having fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Hungary in their Group F opener on Saturday, the eighth time in the nine competitive games of Hallgrimsson’s reign to date that they have conceded the opening goal.

Hallgrimsson said: “Obviously, they will have more power in the beginning, I would guess, with an extra day to recover (rather than travelling).

“We just need to be ready for that. Now we’ve conceded early goals in three games of late and they probably fancy their chances in the beginning, so we need to be ready from kick-off.”

What’s on today?

England look to take a further stride towards the World Cup finals as they take on their biggest group rivals Serbia in Belgrade.

The Republic of Ireland look to kick-start their campaign in Armenia, while the pick of the international action sees France face off against fellow Group D pace-setters Iceland in Paris.

Wales take a breather from competitive action but boss Craig Bellamy will expect nothing less than 100 per cent commitment in their friendly against Canada.