Chris Waddle expects England to keep chopping and changing wingers at this World Cup because as yet none have taken their opportunity.

Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke started the Three Lions’ first two group matches, with Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka preferred against Panama.

Waddle, who played for England in the 1986 quarter-final and 1990 semi-final, is hoping for someone to take the load off Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham against what he expects to be a defensive Congo in Wednesday's early-evening kick-off (5pm UK time).

"I don't think Anthony Gordon's had a good tournament or a good start to it," he said of Barcelona's new signing. "It looks as if he's lost a little bit of confidence.

DISAPPOINTMENT: England' wingers Anthony Gordon (left) and Bukayo Saka are yet to hit their stride, according to Chris Waddle (Image: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — DISAPPOINTMENT: England' wingers Anthony Gordon (left) and Bukayo Saka are yet to hit their stride, according to Chris Waddle (Image: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP via Getty Images)

"So you've got to go with Marcus Rashford at the minute. As long as England are in the tournament, I think those two are just going to keep swapping positions — one coming on for the other.

"But the four wide men have not really had the effect on the tournament that we thought they would have. They've not done what we thought they would do."

The former Sheffield Wednesday playmaker expects Congo to play with a "fear" which will make them tricky opponents in Atlanta.

"Teams like Congo will be wary of England,” he said. “A draw, extra time, or catching us on the counter-attack would be a marvellous result for them.

WIDE BOY: Chris Waddle (right) played for England at two World Cups (Image: Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images)

"If you ask 100 neutrals, 98 or 99 will back an England win, so if they get any type of result... wow, they'll be heroes back home.

"I don't think England are going to beat them three or 4-0, though we have enough to win.

"But the African teams can be very off-the-cuff. We saw what Ghana could do.

"Ghana should have had a penalty, (in their 0-0 draw with England). DR Congo will be looking at that game and thinking, ‘We can do the same thing — hit them on the break, we might get a penalty, or we might get a counter-attack and a goal.'

BEST BET: Marcus Rashford would be Chris Waddle's pick to stat on the left against Congo Image: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

"They'll be thinking they have to be strong defensively on set-pieces, but in general play, if they get behind the ball and frustrate us, who is going to open the door?

"Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham — they're the only two who have looked like a threat in the final third.

"I don't think Congo will have a lot of fear; I can see them parking the bus and trying to hit England on the break."

Chris Waddle was speaking on behalf of 10bet – the home of football betting.