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Football

20th Mar 2024

Four England stars missing from training three days out from Brazil clash

Callum Boyle

England

Not good at all

England will be sweating over the fitness of four key players who were all missing from training.

Gareth Southgate’s side have come together for the March internationals in which they will face Brazil and Belgium in two friendlies.

The first of those comes against Brazil on Saturday but they could be without four star names for the game.

Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer all missed the Three Lions’ session on Wednesday, with Sky Sports reporting that the quartet all underwent personal programmes.

Final chance to earn a place

March’s friendlies represent the final chance for players to impress in an England shirt before Southgate picks his 23-man squad to take to Germany.

Of those who could be on the plane, Kobbie Mainoo is one that has certainly caught the eye of supporters.

Initially named in the England Under-21s squad, Mainoo was fast-tracked into the first team just days after his sensational performance in Manchester United’s dramatic FA Cup win against Liverpool.

The 18-year-old is the youngest player in the first team squad but has been joined by names such as Joe Gomez, who was named in the squad for the first time in four years.

Jarrod Bowen has also returned after his fine form for West Ham while Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon have been called up for the first time.

The biggest omission was Kalvin Phillips though. Once a trusted member of the Southgate squad, poor form on loan at West Ham has seen him lose his place.

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