02 June 2024 , 21:30
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Gareth Southgate has cast major doubt over Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire's prospects for the Euros.
Southgate could not give any reassurances for Grealish making the final 26-man squad for the tournament as the Manchester City forward has played just ten minutes in the past month. Three Lions boss Southgate could also not guarantee that Maguire would be fit for England’s opening game with Serbia on June 16 as the Manchester United defender is recovering from injury after not playing since April 26.
Grealish did come into camp early despite being given extra time off after the FA Cup final but, after being an unused substitute at Wembley, has got a lot to prove. Southgate was asked bluntly whether Grealish was in danger of being axed and said: “I don’t think we’re defining that just yet. We know where we’re likely to be.
“It’s hard to be quite so specific because we keep sitting down and saying: ‘Okay, if it’s this or this’. But then somebody else in the room says: ‘Yeah, but what about if lose that player there, or that one doesn’t come through with his injury? Do we need another one in this area?’
“Time is our friend this week. It’s worth using the time. [The Bosnia and Herzegovina match] could throw up another physical issue and then we’ve got something else in the mix.
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"Fortunately, we’re used to dealing with all of this, we’re not worried about it.”
Similarly, Southgate clearly has worries about Maguire and, when asked whether he would make the first game, he said: “We don't know that at the moment. Again, he's progressing well. He won't be involved [against Bosnia and Herzegovina]. Unlikely, I would say, for next Friday.
Gareth Southgate admits Harry Maguire is in a race to be fit for England's opener (The FA via Getty Images)“But each couple of days that passes, we've got a little bit more information on how they're progressing and how likely that is and the likely return date.” But Southgate was far more optimistic about Luke Shaw who had been the biggest concern of all and his prospects of making the final 26 look better.
Southgate added: “He's progressing very well. I said last week that until we had the players in front of us working with us, there was a lot of information that we didn’t have. We’re pleased with how he’s progressing.
"There’s still a bit to do before he can get on the pitch in a game situation. But we're really pleased with the work he’s doing with our physical performance team and our medics, so he’s in with a good chance.”
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