Bukayo Saka and John Stones have been ruled out of England’s friendly against Bosnia in their preparations for Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed Stones will sit out the St James’ Park clash after reporting later in the week after playing in the FA Cup final, while Saka is resting after a muscle injury ruled him out of the final Premier League match of the season.
Anthony Gordon will also miss the penultimate fixture before the Euros, while Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are sidelined and pushing their recoveries to make the tournament.
“John reported a bit later so hasn’t worked with us,” said Southgate, whose team will also face Iceland at Wembley on Friday.
“Bukayo is progressing fine but will rest after his injury and will be available for Friday.
“They are all progressing well. Anthony has a good chance to be available for Friday, the other two [Maguire and Shaw] are more unlikely but we will see how it goes.”
Jude Bellingham will not be playing after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid on Saturday.
“He’s had a fantastic season, to join the biggest club in the world and to perform how he has is an incredible year for him and I’m delighted for him to win,” said Southgate, who will rest Bellingham for both friendlies.
“Jadon [Sancho] and Jamie [Bynoe-Gittens] were on the other side so we had no favourites as such but to cap that season with winning a Champions League has been a phenomenal year.
“We’re delighted. You saw him with his family and it’s a credit to him – how he comes across in the interviews is how he is. Whoever he interacts with in the squad, he has humility and understanding. He understood you have to earn respect from Toni Kroos and Luka Modric but would also have little respect for that on the training pitch.”
Southgate says a week of rest, rather than being with the squad, will benefit his squad.
“It’s not the most important thing [to be with the group], the most important thing is rest and recovery and we will benefit for from that,” he said. “That is the constraint of international football, you have to work out the most important thing and for Jude and therefore the team it is psychologically switching off and recovering.”
Kieran Trippier will captain the team, Southgate confirmed.
“I have to thank Gareth for giving me the trust. Armband or not I am ready for the team. Leading the lads out will be special,” said Trippier.
Euro 2024 starts on Friday, June 14, with hosts Germany playing Scotland. England play their first match two days later, on the Sunday, against Serbia. Euro 2024 fixtures take place from June 14-July 14.
The England team for these two friendlies will come from Southgate’s provisional Euros squad, announced after the conclusion of the Premier League season. Notable omissions included Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling.
Southgate will submit his final Euros squad following the matches and ahead of Uefa’s June 7 deadline.
England’s final Euro 2024 warm-up match will be against Iceland on Friday, June 7, at Wembley Stadium.
The 2017/18 season was easily one of Burnley's most memorable in recent seasons and Sean Dyche led the Clarets to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League
Young midfielders Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka, and striker Marc Guiu have been selected in their place as the Blues look to spread minutes around frin
Spain will seek to continue a golden era in the 2024/25 edition of the UEFA Nations League.Luis de la Fuente's side produced a dazzling perform
A spokesperson for the Football Supporters' Association (FSA), which represents fans in England and Wales, said: "With impeccable timing after the Oasis fiasco,