Manchester United defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon and Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka are “progressing well” towards England comebacks, Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has said.
England continue their Uefa Euro 2024 preparations by hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on Monday, when Manchester City’s John Stones will join the quartet among Southgate’s absentees.
“We’re pleased with the progress they’ve made,” said Southgate. “John reported a bit later and hasn’t worked with us for a number of days, so it’s better for him to follow an individual programme.”
👏 Captaining the #ThreeLions.
🏟️ Playing in front of his home fans.
❤️ Walking out with his son as a mascot.Tomorrow night promises to be a special occasion for @trippier2. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uJ3qpEKLDr
— England (@England) June 2, 2024
Saka missed Arsenal’s closing game of the season at home to Everton on May 19 with a muscle injury but is expected to return for the visit of Iceland at Wembley Stadium in five days’ time.
“Bukayo’s fine and progressing well,” said Southgate. “But he’ll rest and then he should be available for Friday.”
England Euro squad announcement
England’s 33-man training squad will be reduced to a group of 26 for the finals in an announcement on Saturday.
Southgate said centre-back Maguire and Shaw are “unlikely” to be involved against Iceland in what will be England’s final game before their group stage begins against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16.
“It’s been a phenomenal year for him, absolutely delighted for him.” 🙌
Hear what Gareth Southgate had to say about @ChampionsLeague winner @BellinghamJude. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/RUkOVUAZtY
— England (@England) June 2, 2024
Maguire is a certainty for the tournament and Southgate sounded a relatively optimistic note about Shaw, who has been one of his first-choice players during his time in charge but has not played since February.
In an Instagram post after United won the FA Cup last week, Euro 2020 finalist Shaw said he had endured “the most frustrating season”.
“I have had setback after setback and have worked so hard to get back to fitness but things just haven’t gone my way,” the 28-year-old added.
“I pushed so hard to get back before the end of the season and the final but some things just aren’t meant to be. The reality is I am not 100 per cent fit for [club or country] right now but I am doing everything I can and constantly working to be fit.”
Defender Kieran Trippier has also been an injury concern for England but Southgate said the 33-year-old will captain the side against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
