There are now just seven days remaining before the start of the rescheduled European Championship and England manager Gareth Southgate faces a tough selection choice.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion was a key headline from the initial 26-man tournament squad announcement earlier this week, but the Liverpool right-back has now been ruled out of the Euros altogether and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury sustained in the 1-0 friendly win over Austria.
Such a blow leaves Southgate with a tricky choice to make – does he opt to call-up another defender from the reserve list, or will his strength in depth in that area lead to a reprieve for a midfielder such as James Ward-Prowse or perhaps even Jesse Lingard?
The England boss does not plan to name his replacement for Alexander-Arnold until after Sunday’s final warm-up friendly against Romania in Middlesbrough – could that match offer one last chance for someone to take the initiative?
Southgate’s spirits will at least be lifted by Manchester United players joining camp on Thursday, while their…
