Southgate stands firm on England demands after three stars join injury list

08 November 2023 , 22:30

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Southgate stands firm on England demands after three stars join injury list

Gareth Southgate will not accept any sick notes for England’s final Euro qualifiers.

Southgate is certain to be under pressure from Premier League managers to give players a rest with England already qualified for Germany next summer. But Southgate is adamant that he wants players to report up for the games with Malta at Wembley on November 17 and then the trip to North Macedonia three days later.

It will be the penultimate camp before the Euros and Southgate wants to name a very similar squad to the last qualifiers which will include all of his big names. Southgate has stressed the importance of winning the final two group matches to ensure they clinch their place among the top seeds for next month’s draw.

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has been nursing a shoulder injury and will be a worry especially after making such a huge impact this season for club and country. But Southgate wants as many players to report up as possible, although Manchester City defender John Stones looks set to miss out after suffering another injury setback in the Champions League win over Young Boys.

That might open the door for Chelsea ’s fit-again Reece James but it is unlikely that there will be any major surprises because the squad is fairly settled. Tottenham ’s James Maddison will be a concern as he suffered an ankle injury against Chelsea on Monday night.

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That could see a chance for Newcastle ’s Anthony Gordon who has been in superb form for his club and Southgate has always championed under-21s players making the progression into the seniors. But competition is fierce in the wide areas especially with Arsenal ’s Bukayo Saka fit again after missing the last England camp through injury.

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James Maddison is among the latest England stars to suffer an injury (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)

There would appear to be no way back for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling who has admitted he will not give up on England but faces a major battle to get back in. Crystal Palace ’s Eberechi Eze is back in contention after injury. Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher has been in good form and there may be some changes against Malta.

But generally, England will be at near full strength for both games to clinch the top seeing. England’s scouts have been impressed with Everton ’s Jarrad Branthwaite but he may have to wait further down the line for a chance.

England have already announced that they will play Brazil and Belgium in March so North Macedonia will be the last away trip before the Euros.

John Cross