Things aren’t too bright for England heading into their Euros opener against Serbia. The Three Lions are coming off the back of a 1-0 defeat against Iceland, which was a bit of a setback. To make matters worse, there are reports of multiple injury issues in the England camp. Gareth Southgate might have to change plans on the eve of the game if some of his first-team starters aren’t ready to go. Euro 2024 is a big test for the manager, with many believing Southgate could be on his way out if he fails to win the title this summer.
According to reports, center-back John Stones is yet to reach full fitness. Stones picked up a knock against Iceland and had to be taken off the ground. While the team felt the player could be ready in time for the first game of the Euros, Stones himself did not have ideal thoughts after the injury as he admitted he feared the worst when he first sustained the injury.
“You think the worst at the start and we got some scans back and [it was] really minor stuff and came through it, which is great,” Stones told the press.
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While John Stones could be back in time, Buyako Saka and Luke Shaw are unlikely to start for England. Saka was brought off the bench against Iceland, but his performance left much to be desired. He might play off the bench again, as Cole Palmer or Anothony Gordon might take up his role in the starting XI. To add more to the worries, Luke Shaw is still recovering from his muscle tear and Sunday’s game would be too soon for the player’s return.
Gareth Southgate might be running out of options
The English head coach has had a rough couple of months of late, with England having achieved just a single win in their last five games. Gareth Southgate’s tactics and selections have been the headline following England’s games, with many experts not on board with his thinking process. The Euros could be Southgate’s last chance to prove he is the right man for the job, as anything less than the title could result in him losing his job.
There has been a lot of pressure on the manager after he named his squad for the summer with senior winger Jack Grealish left out of the team. Experts believe Grealish could have provided the team with the cutting edge in the attacking third and England could have relied on their midfield to control the game. Southgate will hope his players get something out of the game against Serbia, as the manager continues to grasp at straws.
