Sunday, December 22, 2024

John Stones replaced in potential injury scare a week before Euro 2024 opener

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John Stones was withdrawn from England’s side at half-time during their 1-0 friendly defeat to Iceland.

The Manchester City defender was named in Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up at Wembley, but was brought off at the break.

Stones was brought off at half time during England’s clash with IcelandCredit: Getty

The 30-year-old picked up a suspected ankle knock in the opening stages, but was able to play on until half-time when he was removed.

Ezri Konsa was the man introduced, leaving England fans sweating over the fitness of one of England’s most important stars.

Of course it’s not the first time that Stones has suffered an injury on England duty recently.

Stones injured his hamstring during England’s friendly clash with Brazil back in March and started just three times for Man City between then and the end of the campaign.

While included in England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024, Stones is looking to build up his match sharpness with his first-half injury being a potential worry for Southgate.

Speaking following the full-time whistle, Southgate appeared hopeful Stones would be fully fit heading into the major tournament in Germany.

He told talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers: “We think he’s OK, obviously he had a knock to the ankle earlier in the game.

“And given how close we are to the finals, there’s no point in risking anything after half-time, so [it was] mainly precautionary.”

Stones hit the deck early on at Wembley, but managed to make it to half-time

Stones wasn’t the only defensive injury worry on the night either, with Luke Shaw and Lewis Dunk sitting out of the clash as a precaution.

Marc Guehi nearly added to their injury woes too, with the Crystal Palace defender needing treatment after a blow to the head.

While many expected Guehi to make way due to a suspected concussion, he stayed on the pitch.

England went 1-0 down to Iceland after Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson wrong-footed Aaron Ramsdale in the first half and struggled to find a way back into the game.

It means that they head into Euro 2024 on the back of a disappointing result and performance.

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