Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire faces a health race to play for England in opposition to Croatia within the Three Lions opening European Championships recreation later this month.
Despite his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad, Maguire remains to be not match-fit and faces a race in opposition to time if he’s to be obtainable for choice for England’s first recreation on June 13.
The United captain hasn’t performed since sustaining an ankle ligament damage in opposition to Aston Villa a month in the past and needed to watch from the sidelines because the Red Devils misplaced to Villarreal on penalties within the Europa League ultimate.
The England boss believes that regardless of his damage issues, Maguire remains to be worthy of an England call-up:
(Image: Getty Images)
“It’s going to be tight for the primary recreation, there’s no query,” stated Southgate.
“But we all know precisely the place he’s at. Our medical staff have been with him over in Manchester – he’s not travelled to hitch us but due to the quarantine points coming over from Poland.
“He’s acquired a bit to do – and it’s the identical with Hendo. They’ve each acquired a bit to do actually, to be obtainable, however we really feel that the chance that they will play a component, and the truth that they’re such nice characters to have across the group (justifies their inclusion).
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“Hendo’s management and presence is already having an impact on different individuals, particularly the youthful ones within the group, however all the others as properly.
“Given we have been capable of choose 26, we felt the chance to have the ability to have these two with us was an easy one actually.”
The England boss is brief on skilled gamers with solely Henderson, Kyle Walker and Kieron Trippier over the age of 29.
Maguire at 28 is without doubt one of the oldest gamers within the dressing room and one in every of Southgate’s most skilled execs; the England boss clearly believes his presence within the dressing room is extremely beneficial even when his game-time is proscribed.
The Three Lions are at the moment coaching at Rockliffe Park in Middlesbrough forward of two warm-up video games on the Riverside Stadium.
Austria are the guests on Wednesday night earlier than a day conflict with Romania on Sunday.
(Image: GETTY)
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Maguire hasn’t joined up with the remainder of his teammates on Teesside and stays a significant doubt for the opening recreation in opposition to Croatia.
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