Bukayo Saka and John Stones will miss Bosnia and Herzegovina’s England friendly on Monday, with Kieran Trippier captaining the Three Lions.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Anthony Gordon will also be absent for the first Euro 2024 warm-up game leaving Gareth Southgate with selection pains.
Stones and Saka trained as part of a 26-man training session on Sunday, but will miss the friendly at St James’ Park.
“John has reported later so he is not working with us, he will follow his individual programme,” Southgate told a press conference on Sunday.
“Bukayo is fine, tomorrow is rest and Friday should be available”.
John Stones (left) and Kieran Trippier in England training on Sunday
Maguire and Shaw have more to worry about ahead of the Euros in Germany. The former missed the final five weeks of the season while Shaw was described as a “long shot” by Southgate last month.
Gordon, meanwhile, missed Newcastle’s last game of the season with an ankle problem and is yet to return.
“Everything is progressing well,” Southgate said of the trio. “We’re happy with the progress we’ve made, there’s no going back tomorrow.
“Gordon has a chance to be available for Friday. The other two are more unlikely, let’s see how it goes.”
‘Results always matter’
Harry Kane (left) and John Stones in England training on Sunday
Meanwhile, Harry Kane will not start against Bosnia, having trained all week after missing Bayern Munich’s last three games with a back injury, Trippier is set to captain the team.
Kobbie Mainoo, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden has yet to link up with the camp after last weekend’s FA Cup final, when Jude Bellingham will come more later to the camp.
England face Iceland on Friday in their final warm-up game before traveling to Germany and Serbia on June 16 in their first group game.
But first, Southgate wants a patched-up squad to deliver a strong performance and result against Bosnia.
“There is a reality about obstacles,” he said of England’s preparations. “Four or five are not with us yet. But that’s normal. In Qatar, we don’t have people until five days before the first game.
“There is a great physical aspect to what we see. We are looking to see some combinations and people in different positions. People with less cover playing in a brilliant atmosphere will be important. I have liked how they have been trained. A brilliant mentality as well.
“The result is always important. For me, it’s about playing well and building on what we have done in the next five or six weeks. There are 43 days until the final, not every day will be good, not every hour will be perfect. But we are working on the principles and tomorrow is the first aspect that shows in public.
Southgate: Bellingham has had a phenomenal year
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Southgate spoke of his delight at seeing Jude Bellingham win the Champions League with Real Madrid to cap what he described as a ‘phenomenal year’
Gareth Southgate on Jude Bellingham’s first season at Real Madrid:
“It’s been an incredible year for him. Glad he won (the Champions League) last night. Jadon (Sancho) plays on the other side, same with Jamie (Bynoe-Gittens). We don’t have favorites as we have players on both sides , but to close the season by winning the Champions League, it’s been an incredible year and I’m happy for him.
“The family has to respect – the way he is genuine in the interview, like that. The way he reacts to the staff and the players, he has humility and understanding. They have to respect people like (Luka). ) Modric and (Toni) Kroos, they continue to attack the challenge .
“The most important thing for him is to rest, to recover. We don’t have the players you have in the club to be cohesive. At this moment, for Jude and the team, it is necessary to recover and kill psychologically.”
Trippier: I will always be there for England
Newcastle right-back Trippier spoke of his pride at being handed the armband for his 47th cap.
“It’s going to be very special,” he said. “I have to thank Gareth for giving me that confidence. But whether I have the armband or not, or whether I play or not, I will always be there for the team.
“To lead the kids out will be special. My son will also be the mascot.
“At the last Euro, I didn’t expect to play LB. So you have to be ready.
“We can win. We don’t say it in an arrogant way. We have top players, top managers and staff. But we have to earn the right and the most important thing is togetherness in the squad.
“We are all looking forward to it and the first step is tomorrow.”
Shaw, Maguire, Gordon, Kane injured
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Rob Dorsett explains England’s injury woes as five players will miss the game against Bosnia in Newcastle.
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett at the England training camp in Darlington:
“Luke Shaw that’s the biggest concern, he hasn’t played football since february. Southgate is desperate to get him but unless he can get some game time in training and matches this week, he will be a long shot for the final squad.
“My understanding is that he has been training to a certain level this week. England has been training since Tuesday but he will not be involved tomorrow.
“Harry Maguire was expected to be on the plane but missed the final five weeks of the season, including the FA Cup final, with an undisclosed muscle injury.
“He’s only had nine Premier League starts since Christmas so fitness is a concern for him and Southgate will want to be in action in this friendly to try to get him fit when the group starts in the fortnight today.
“Anthony Gordon has a fairly recent genuine injury problem. He missed Newcastle’s last game of the season with an ankle problem and it’s no small matter as he still hasn’t trained on grass with England. He is on his personal training plan.
“For England to win this tournament, Harry Kane must be in shape and score goals. And there were real concerns when he missed the last three games for Bayern Munich, but he seems to be in good spirits.
“He came off in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid with that problem, which he’s done all his career right, but the fact he’s training in the sun at Darlington is a good sign for him.”
Key dates for the UK
All time BST
Monday June 3rd – International friendly, England v Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park, kick-off 7.45pm
Friday June 7th – international friendly, England vs Iceland at Wembley, kick-off 19.45
Friday June 7th – The final 26-man squad was sent to UEFA
Saturday June 8th – Final 26 player squad announced
Monday June 10th – The England squad flies to Germany
Saturday 16 June – Serbia vs England, Gelsenkirchen, kick-off 8pm
Thursday, June 20 – Denmark vs England, Frankfurt, kick-off 5pm
Tuesday June 25th – England vs Slovenia, kick-off 8pm
