GARETH Southgate has hinted Dele Alli could be the key to England's World Cup quarter-final against Sweden today - provided he has the confidence to express himself.

Alli began the tournament with a sparky first-half performance in the opening fixture against Tunisia but limped off with a thigh injury that kept him on the sidelines for the remainder of the group phase.

The Tottenham playmaker returned to the starting XI to face Colombia only to find himself pushed deeper than he might like in a frenetic encounter and was once again struggling for fitness by the time he made way in the second half.

Now, with the Three Lions chasing a first appearance in the final four since 1990, Southgate believes the 22-year-old is ready to catch fire.

For that to happen, he needs to impose himself as an attacking threat and the manager will give him full licence to do so.

"In terms of Dele, I thought his performance against Tunisia was as good as he's had since I've been England manager. He's at his best making those forward runs and really threatening the opponents with those runs from midfield," said Southgate.

"Maybe we need to encourage him a little bit more to get into those areas where I think his strengths lie and where he can have the biggest impact on the game.

"That's something we've got to think about tactically. We do want to create more clear chances and I think we can create more.

"The other night (against Colombia) the game was a little bit different and he did a really diligent job without the ball for us. It's about creating good chances and being able to break down a defence that will be packed. Dele is a player who gives us a different option to do that."

Alli's fitness does not appear to be a concern, with the only lingering doubts concerning striker Jamie Vardy - who would not be in the first XI regardless - and his recovery from a groin complaint.

"We just need to check with Vardy again," said Southgate. "He completed what we hoped he would (in training), but slightly separate from the team. We'll check if there is any reaction to that. Everyone else trained."