England hand first senior starts to both Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze against Bosnia and Herzegovina in tonight’s Euro 2024 warm-up friendly.
Manchester United pair Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are still recovering from the muscle injuries that saw them miss the back end of the club season, while Bukayo Saka is being given extra time to build his fitness after a minor problem ruled him out of Arsenal’s final game of the campaign.
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Like Saka, John Stones trained on Sunday but the Manchester City defender is also not risked at St James’ Park having joined the squad late following his involvement in last weekend’s FA Cup final. Jude Bellingham also misses out after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid at Wembley on Saturday night.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, who impressed in friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in March, misses out on the chance to play at his home ground because of an ankle problem. Harry Kane is rested after Southgate revealed on Sunday that Kieran Trippier will captain the side instead.
“[Gordon, Maguire and Shaw] are progressing well,” Southgate said. “So we’re pleased with the progress they’ve made. None of them will be involved.
“I think Anthony has a good chance to be available for Friday [against Iceland at Wembley]. The other two are a bit more unlikely, but we will just see how quickly they can go really.
“John because he reported a bit later, so he hasn’t worked with us for the number of days, it’s better for him to follow an individual programme for the next couple of days.
“Bukayo is 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.”
It’s first starts for Chelsea forward Palmer and Crystal Palace winger Eze, with Ollie Watkins picked over Ivan Toney to lead the line with Kane on the bench after a back issue.
Marc Guehi partners Lewis Dunk at centre-back with no Maguire or Stones, with stand-in skipper Trippier and Ezri Konsa completing the backline.
Trent Alexander-Arnold lines up in midfield alongside Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, with Declan Rice only a substitute.
Joining Eze, Palmer and Watkins in a prolific-looking and experimental England attack is West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen.
Like Bellingham, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Kobbie Mainoo have yet to join up with the squad.
England XI: Pickford; Konsa, Dunk, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher; Bowen, Palmer, Eze; Watkins
Injuries: Maguire, Shaw, Gordon
Unavailable: Bellingham, Stones, Saka, Foden, Mainoo, Walker
Date and time: Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7.45pm BST
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
TV channel and live stream: Channel 4
