John Stones has handed England a huge boost after proving his fitness ahead of their opening Euros game against Serbia.
Stones came through England’s first training session in Germany with flying colours. The Manchester City star damaged his ankle in last week’s shock defeat to Iceland, and left Wembley with it strapped heavily.
But Stones has undergone intense treatment from England’s medical staff since the weekend. And he showed no ill-effects after taking part in an hour long session at a stadium in Jena, close to England’s main base.
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The news will be a huge relief to Gareth Southgate, who is desperate to have Stones available for the Group C clash with Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. Southgate is already without Harry Maguire, who failed to make the squad due to injury.
England star Antony Gordon described Stones as an ‘elite level’ player. He said: “We want everyone as fits possible going into the tournament. John’s such a big player, but he has that elite level mentality.”
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(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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All 26 players trained, but the news on Luke Shaw’s fitness was less positive. Shaw has been sidelined since damaging his hamstring in a game for Manchester United at Luton in February.
He is confident of being fit for the second group game against Denmark, but didn’t take part in full training and appears to have no chance of being in contention this weekend. When a small game took place involving the whole squad, Shaw wore a non-contact bib and stood on the sidelines on the periphery.
Kieran Trippier is expected to start at left back this weekend. Bukayo Saka also came through the training session and will be close to making Southgate’s starting XI for Sunday’s showdown.