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DPA
Berlin
England’s Harry Maguire is fit to play in the Euro 2020 clash with Scotland at Wembley on Friday, but Gareth Southgate has yet to decide if he will start.
The Manchester United captain has been sidelined since suffering ankle ligament damage on May 9 in the Red Devils’ 3-1 Premier League win at Aston Villa.
Maguire was hurt after falling awkwardly beneath Anwar El Ghazi. He sat out United’s final five games of the season, including the Europa League final, which ended in defeat on penalties to Villarreal.
The centre-back was not ready to feature in England’s warm-up games with Austria and Lithuania or the 1-0 Euro opening win over Croatia last Sunday, in which Tyrone Mings partnered John Stones at the heart Southgate’s defence.
“The decision we’ve got to make is whether he’s ready to start,” Southgate told a news conference on Thursday.
“We are really pleased with his progress, he has trained with the team for four or five days now and he has had no reaction.
“He is on a really good path. We want everyone available, it causes difficult decisions but we have 26 players on the training pitch and that is a great position to be involved in.” Speaking on Wednesday, Maguire said: “I feel good. I’m back available, I’ve been training and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve done a few sessions now and I feel like my fitness is there.”
Confirming he was “available to the manager for selection,” for the Scotland game, Maguire added: “I’m here as a player but also as a fan so I fully understand my position in the camp. Whatever happens, I want England to win - that’s my main focus.” Maguire felt buoyed by Southgate’s decision to include him in England’s 26-man squad despite knowing he would miss at least the opening group game with Croatia.
“Gareth has shown great faith in me and that’s not just in this camp, it’s since I made my debut,” he said. “I know Gareth trusts me and it gives me great confidence to come here and try and do as much as I can for him and, most importantly, for the country.”
Maguire played in all eight of England’s games for Euro 2020 qualifying, more than any other defender, helping the Three Lions to keep five clean sheets in those matches.
Berlin
England’s Harry Maguire is fit to play in the Euro 2020 clash with Scotland at Wembley on Friday, but Gareth Southgate has yet to decide if he will start.
The Manchester United captain has been sidelined since suffering ankle ligament damage on May 9 in the Red Devils’ 3-1 Premier League win at Aston Villa.
Maguire was hurt after falling awkwardly beneath Anwar El Ghazi. He sat out United’s final five games of the season, including the Europa League final, which ended in defeat on penalties to Villarreal.
The centre-back was not ready to feature in England’s warm-up games with Austria and Lithuania or the 1-0 Euro opening win over Croatia last Sunday, in which Tyrone Mings partnered John Stones at the heart Southgate’s defence.
“The decision we’ve got to make is whether he’s ready to start,” Southgate told a news conference on Thursday.
“We are really pleased with his progress, he has trained with the team for four or five days now and he has had no reaction.
“He is on a really good path. We want everyone available, it causes difficult decisions but we have 26 players on the training pitch and that is a great position to be involved in.” Speaking on Wednesday, Maguire said: “I feel good. I’m back available, I’ve been training and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve done a few sessions now and I feel like my fitness is there.”
Confirming he was “available to the manager for selection,” for the Scotland game, Maguire added: “I’m here as a player but also as a fan so I fully understand my position in the camp. Whatever happens, I want England to win - that’s my main focus.” Maguire felt buoyed by Southgate’s decision to include him in England’s 26-man squad despite knowing he would miss at least the opening group game with Croatia.
“Gareth has shown great faith in me and that’s not just in this camp, it’s since I made my debut,” he said. “I know Gareth trusts me and it gives me great confidence to come here and try and do as much as I can for him and, most importantly, for the country.”
Maguire played in all eight of England’s games for Euro 2020 qualifying, more than any other defender, helping the Three Lions to keep five clean sheets in those matches.
