The Three Lions take on Bosnia at St. James Park on Monday night in the first of two warm up games before they fly off to Euro 2024.
Southgate will be using these matches to determine which players will make the plane to Germany, with his 33-man provisional squad needing to be whittled down to 26 by the end of the week.
Among those at risk of being left out are those currently with injury issues, and the manager has now revealed that several key members of the squad have not been passed fit for the match in Newcastle.
Manchester United defenders Luke Shaw and Maguire, as well as Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon missed training on Sunday having arrived at the England camp with injuries.
‘All are progressing well, so we’re pleased with the progress they’ve made,’ Southgate said in his pre-match press conference.
‘None of them will be involved tomorrow. What can I tell you? I think Anthony has a good chance to be available for Friday.’
Shaw has been sidelined since February with a muscle injury and his fitness is of paramount importance to England, given the 28-year-old is the only natural left-back in the squad.
While Southgate admitted he couldn’t offer to much of an update on the trio, he did also reveal that Arsenal winger Saka and Manchester City centre-back, would not play against Bosnia but this is more as a precautionary.
‘Same tomorrow with Bukayo and probably John Stones. Everybody else will be involved,’ he added.
‘John because he reported a bit later, he hasn’t worked with us for a number of days so better for him to follow an individual programme for the next couple of days.
‘Bukayo’s fine he’s progressing well but the periodisation we’ve taken from his injury is to rest tomorrow and then he should be available for Friday.’
In addition to the aforementioned quintet, Jude Bellingham will not be involved in either of the pre-Euro 2024 friendlies having played nearly the entirety of Real Madrid’s victorious Champions League final on Saturday.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : Jamie Carragher backs Liverpool to avoid Arsenal and Man Utd ‘drop-off’
MORE : England’s fringe players Ollie Watkins and Eberechi Eze can state their Euro 2024 case against Bosnia-Herzegovina
MORE : Fulham make Arsenal star their top summer target with Gunners ready to sell
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
