England were boosted by Bukayo Saka and John Stones taking part in full training as the team ramped up preparations for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.
Gareth Southgate, who is giving serious consideration to starting Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, will have been pleased to see his squad put on an intense session at Ernst Abbe Sportfeld in Jena on Tuesday afternoon.
England have fitness doubts over a number of key players before their first match in Group C on Sunday and it was notable that Luke Shaw, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, was not involved in contact training. Shaw, the only recognised left-back, is targeting England’s second game, against Denmark on 20 June, for his return after four months out.
Even so the mood was positive as every member of the 26-man squad took part in an open training session for about 500 local children half an hour from England’s tournament base in the small town of Blankenhain.
The main encouragement came from seeing Stones, who was treated for an ankle injury against Iceland last Friday, and Saka, who has just returned from a groin problem, on the grass. Stones’s importance in defence has been heightened by Harry Maguire’s absence with a calf injury and Saka is certain to start on the right flank if fully fit.
Southgate has had to fret about the condition of far too many players for his liking. Harry Kane, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guéhi, Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon have also been working their way back from injury. England took heart from them all participating in a session that began with a highly competitive two-on-two volleying routine.
There was no holding back from Saka and it was encouraging for Southgate to see Shaw working with the ball. However England took care not to overload the Manchester United defender. He was the only player wearing a green bib during a large-sided game at the end of the afternoon. It appeared Shaw’s teammates were under instructions not to tackle him.
Southgate faces a big call over who should take the third spot in central midfield against Serbia. England are light on experience after leaving out Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson, and whoever is chosen to start with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice will have plenty to prove.
Alexander-Arnold, who has been handed the No 8 shirt, has yet to establish himself in England’s first‑choice XI. But Southgate is keen to utilise the Liverpool vice-captain’s range of passing and is giving serious consideration to beginning Euro 2024 with him in the team.
England’s other options include Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace’s surprise inclusion Adam Wharton.
Gallagher’s energy is likely to come in handy at some stage and Southgate is excited about the youthful potential of Mainoo and Wharton, who made his debut last week as a substitute in the friendly win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Alexander-Arnold impressed after starting in central midfield in that game.
Southgate has suggested he is likely to be out of a job if England do not win the trophy, but Gordon hopes to continue working with him.
“From a selfish point of view I would want him to stay,” the winger said. “I love working with him and his staff. From my youth journey with England the way they have transitioned the whole setup from youth to senior level has been amazing and I don’t think they get the credit they deserve.”
