Anthony Gordon pictured with cuts on his chin after falling off BIKE
- Phil Foden was not part of the group after he left the squad to return to the UK
- Anthony Gordon showed off a nasty cut on his chin during the training session
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Will England ever get a better chance to win the Euros?
Anthony Gordon was seen sporting a nasty cut on his chin during England’s training session on Thursday after the Newcastle forward had fallen off his bike on Wednesday at England’s training base.
The winger also had several cuts to his hands and nose but he seemed in good spirits as he trained with the rest of the squad on Thursday ahead of their Euro 2024 knockout clash against Slovakia on Sunday.
It appears Gordon, 23, had sustained the graze after England had been riding bikes around their training base at the Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land in Blankenhain, Germany. Several members of the squad were pictured enjoying some downtime on Wednesday, cycling around the country woodland paths that surround the resort.
But England’s players can carry on cycling – despite Anthony Gordon taking a tumble. Mail Sport understands that there will be no ban on Gareth Southgate’s men should they wish to saddle up again.
The group are permitted to carry out leisure activities on certain days, and some have been playing golf and padel. The rule within the camp is that two days before matches such recreational activity stops, with the focus on preparing for the upcoming game.
Anthony Gordon was seen sporting a cut on his chin during England training on Thursday
The Newcastle forward suffered the injury after he fell off his bike on Wednesday afternoon
Despite the cut, Gordon looked in good spirits as he trained with the England squad in the rain
That means should Gordon, 23, wish to get back in the saddle he will have to wait until Monday – if England see off Slovakia – to do so.
On Thursday, though, England were back on the training pitch in what was a dreary afternoon in Germany.
Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier were working on their own individual training programmes while Phil Foden was not pictured with the squad.
The Manchester City star had travelled home to the United Kingdom on Wednesday after it was announced that he had a ‘pressing family matter’.
It is understood that the England attacker returned to the UK for the birth of his third child but a source close to Foden revealed to Mail Sport that he is expected to be back for England’s clash against Slovakia on Sunday.
Ivan Toney (pictured) was also seen riding around the training base on Wednesday afternoon
Many fans have been calling for Gordon (left) to start on the wing in place of Phil Foden
Luke Shaw was also seen training with the squad as full-back prepares to make his injury return
‘Phil flew home for the birth of his baby but he is expected to be back in Germany in time to play in England’s second round match on Sunday evening,’ a source told Mail Sport.
‘It is not known when he’ll be back in Germany, but he is expected to be able to rejoin the squad before the match.’
Gareth Southgate’s squad were seen running through a variety of training drills and looked focused on the session as they prepare to face Slovakia, having finished top of Group C.
The Three Lions boss will no doubt be buoyed by the return of Shaw, who was seen moving comfortably alongside his team-mates during the session.
The team were seen smiling and chatting during the session, ahead of their knockout clash against Slovakia on Sunday
Shaw (left) has not played competitively since February after sustaining a hamstring injury
Gareth Southgate (pictured) has come under fire for his tactics at the tournament so far
Luke Shaw, 28, has not played in England’s opening three matches at Euro 2024, but the Manchester United left back appears to have overcome a troublesome hamstring injury and gave an update during a press conference on Wednesday over when he is likely to return.
When asked if he was close to making a comeback, Shaw stated: ‘Next game.’
Jude Bellingham was also pictured participating in training after it had emerged that Gareth Southgate would be holding private talks with the Real Madrid midfielder – who had cut a frustrated figure following England’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday.
A lip-reader had revealed that Bellingham had shouted at one of his England team-mates to ‘f***ing pass’ during their final group stage clash.
‘I will have those messages with him rather than plaster them over the papers,’ Southgate said when asked about Bellingham this week.
Jude Bellingham was seen fuming at some of his team-mates during their draw vs Slovenia
Should England beat Slovakia on Sunday, England will take on either Switzerland or Italy in the quarter-finals
Speaking on their upcoming match against Slovakia, Bellingham said: ‘I think you’re always going to have tough games at this point in the tournament. People will look at it and see it’s Slovakia and think it’s going to be an easy game.
‘It’s definitely not the case because they’ll pose a different kind of threat and it’s a different kind of thing to break down. I think sometimes when you play against some of the nations who come at you a little bit more, it’s a bit more open.
‘I think it’ll be an interesting game and one that we’ll be confident for. I know that the performances haven’t been as good as they can be in the first three games but I think it’s a great opportunity for us to get back to the level we need to be at’.
