Manchester City star John Stones gave England a fresh injury scare when he failed to emerge for the second half of England’s friendly defeat at the hands of Iceland
England manager Gareth Southgate was optimistic about John Stones‘ fitness despite the defender only managing 45 minutes against Iceland on Friday.
Stones was involved in a clash with Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson early in the first half, with both players seemingly hurt in the incident. The Manchester City man kept going until half-time, at which point he made way for Ezri Konsa.
England were already without Harry Maguire, who was unable to prove his fitness in time to make Southgate’s final 26-man squad for the Euros, while Lewis Dunk missed the Iceland game with a knock. Thorsteinsson scored the only goal of the game, beating England’s second-choice keeper Aaron Ramsdale to give the visitors victory at Wembley.
It was a frustrating evening, with England needing to pick themselves up before their Euro 2024 opener. They begin their campaign against Serbia on June 16, followed by games against Denmark and Slovenia.
“We think he’s probably okay but we didn’t want to take a chance with that given what’s coming up,” Southgate told Channel 4. Stones was given a rest for Monday’s game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, having played in the FA Cup final at the end of May, and is expected to start England’s group opener if fit.
“We’ll be ready,” Southgate said when asked about the tournament proper. “Obviously tonight hasn’t gone as we’d hoped, I said to the players at the beginning of these… days that we’re going to spend together that not every day is going to go as we want it, and tonight was one of those. But we have to stay very calm.
“I spoke to the players, explained what needs to be better, what the level of performance is required, but also not eveything will be wrong. We had a lot of chances, enough chances really to win the game, but we conceded too many chances as well.”
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The update on Stones will be a welcome one to fans alarmed by the loss of another senior centre-back in the form of Maguire. The Manchester United star returned from injury to impress at Euro 2020, but couldn’t repeat the trick this time.
“I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer,” Maguire said after missing out. “Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf. Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it.
“Simply, I am absolutely gutted. For me, representing England is the highest honour. It means everything to me. If I can’t help the team as a player, I will support them as a fan – along with the rest of the country. Go and win it boys. Next, I will return to the supervision of the Manchester United medical team in order to prepare for next season.”
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