Bukayo Saka and John Stones are set to miss England’s friendly Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, with Kieran Trippier to captain the Three Lions.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Anthony Gordon will also be absent for the first Euro 2024 warm-up game leaving Gareth Southgate with a selection headache.
Stones and Saka trained as part of a 26-player training session on Sunday but will miss the friendly at St James’ Park.
“John has reported a bit later so hasn’t worked with us, he will follow an individual programme,” said Southgate at a press conference on Sunday.
“Bukayo is fine, he will be rested tomorrow and should be available by Friday.”
John Stones (left) and Kieran Trippier in England training on Sunday
Maguire and Shaw are more serious concerns ahead of the Euros in Germany. The former missed the last five weeks of the season while Shaw was described as a “long shot” by Southgate last month.
Gordon, meanwhile, missed Newcastle’s final game of the season with an ankle problem and is yet to return.
“All are progressing well,” Southgate said on the trio. “We are pleased with the progress they’ve made, none of them will be involved tomorrow.
“Gordon has a chance to be available for Friday. The other two are more unlikely, let’s see how far they can go.”
‘Results always matter’
Harry Kane (left) and John Stones in England training on Sunday
Meanwhile, Harry Kane will not against Bosnia, having trained all week after missing Bayern Munich’s last three fixtures due to a back injury, with Trippier set to captain the side.
England face Iceland on Friday in their final warm-up match before heading to Germany and playing Serbia on June 16 in their first group match.
But first, Southgate wants his patched-up side to deliver a strong performance and result against Bosnia.
“There’s reality on the constraints,” he said on England’s preparations. “Four or five are not with us yet. But that’s normal. In Qatar, we didn’t have anyone until five days before the first game.
“There’s a big physical aspect to what we’re looking at. We are looking to see some combinations and people in different positions. People with fewer caps playing in a brilliant atmosphere will be important. I’ve liked how they have trained. A brilliant mentality as well.
“Results always matter. For me, it’s about playing well and building what we’ve been doing over the next five or six weeks. There are 43 days until the final, not every day will be great, not every hour will be perfect. But we’re working on principles and tomorrow is the first aspect to show that in public.”
Southgate: Bellingham has had phenomenal year
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Southgate spoke of his delight at seeing Jude Bellingham win the Champions League with Real Madrid to cap what he describes as a ‘phenomenal year’
Gareth Southgate on Jude Bellingham’s first season at Real Madrid:
“It’s an incredible year for him. Delighted for him to win [the Champions League] last night. Jadon [Sancho] was playing on the other side, same with Jamie [Bynoe-Gittens]. We didn’t have favourites as such as we had players on both sides but to cap that season with winning the Champions League, it’s a phenomenal year and I’m delighted for him.
“His family have to take credit for that – the way he is authentic in interviews, that’s how he is. The way he reacts with staff and players, he has the humility and understanding. He had to earn the respect of people like [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos, he went on to attack that challenge.
“The most important thing for him is rest, recovery. We don’t have the players you do at a club to be so cohesive. At this moment, for Jude and for the team, it’s to recover and psychologically switch off.”
Trippier: I will always be there for England
Newcastle right-back Trippier spoke of his pride about being handed the armband for his 47th cap.
“It’s going to be very special,” he said. “I have to thank Gareth for giving me that trust. But if I have the armband or not, or if I play or not, I will always be there for the team.
“To lead the lads out will be special. My son will be mascot as well.
“In the last Euros, I wasn’t expecting to play LB. So you have to be ready.
“We can win it. We’re not saying it in an arrogant way. We have top players, top manager and staff. But we have to earn the right and the most important thing is togetherness in the squad.
“We’re all looking forward to it and the first step is tomorrow.”
Shaw, Maguire, Gordon, Kane injury updates
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett at England’s training camp in Darlington:
“Luke Shaw is the biggest concern, he hasn’t played any football since February. Southgate is desperate to take him but unless he can get some game time in training and the friendlies this week, he will be a long shot for the final squad.
“My understanding is he has trained to a certain degree this week. England have been training since Tuesday but he will not be involved tomorrow.
“Harry Maguire is expected to be on the plane but he missed the last five weeks of the season, including the FA Cup final, due to an unknown muscle injury.
“He has only had nine Premier League starts since Christmas, so fitness is a concern for him and Southgate would like to give him some action in these friendlies to try and get him match fit for when the group starts in two weeks today.
“Anthony Gordon has a genuine injury problem that is quite new. He missed the final game of Newcastle’s season due to an ankle problem and it’s not a minor one because he’s still not training on the grass with England. He is on his own personal training plan.
“For England to win this tournament, Harry Kane has to be bang on form and scoring the goals. And there were real concerns when he missed those final three games for Bayern Munich, but he looks comfortable.
“He came off in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid with that problem, which he has had all his career in truth, but the fact he is training in the sunshine in Darlington is a good sign for him.”
England’s Euro 2024 fixtures
Sunday June 16 – Group C: Serbia vs England (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen – kick-off 8pm UK time)
Thursday June 20 – Group C: Denmark vs England (Waldstadion, Frankfurt – kick-off 5pm UK time)
Tuesday June 25 – Group C: England vs Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne – kick-off 8pm UK time)