Bukayo Saka and John Stones have been dominated out of England’s pleasant in opposition to Bosnia of their preparations for Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed Stones will sit out the St James’ Park conflict after reporting later within the week after taking part in within the FA Cup remaining, whereas Saka is resting after a muscle damage dominated him out of the ultimate Premier League match of the season.
Anthony Gordon may also miss the penultimate fixture earlier than the Euros, whereas Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are sidelined and pushing their recoveries to make the match.
“John reported a bit later so hasn’t worked with us,” stated Southgate, whose workforce may also face Iceland at Wembley on Friday.
“Bukayo is progressing fine but will rest after his injury and will be available for Friday.
“They are all progressing well. Anthony has a good chance to be available for Friday, the other two [Maguire and Shaw] are more unlikely but we will see how it goes.”
Jude Bellingham is not going to be taking part in after profitable the Champions League with Real Madrid on Saturday.
“He’s had a fantastic season, to join the biggest club in the world and to perform how he has is an incredible year for him and I’m delighted for him to win,” stated Southgate, who will relaxation Bellingham for each friendlies.
“Jadon [Sancho] and Jamie [Bynoe-Gittens] were on the other side so we had no favourites as such but to cap that season with winning a Champions League has been a phenomenal year.
“We’re delighted. You saw him with his family and it’s a credit to him – how he comes across in the interviews is how he is. Whoever he interacts with in the squad, he has humility and understanding. He understood you have to earn respect from Toni Kroos and Luka Modric but would also have little respect for that on the training pitch.”
Southgate says a week of rest, rather than being with the squad, will benefit his squad.
“It’s not the most important thing [to be with the group]the most important thing is rest and recovery and we will benefit for from that,” he said. “That is the constraint of international football, you have to work out the most important thing and for Jude and therefore the team it is psychologically switching off and recovering.”
Kieran Trippier will captain the team, Southgate confirmed.
“I have to thank Gareth for giving me the trust. Armband or not I am ready for the team. Leading the lads out will be special,” said Trippier.
England vs Bosnia and Herzegovina head-to-head
This will be the first senior meeting between the two teams.
England vs Iceland head-to-head
The two teams have faced off five times before, with the last coming in Nov 2020 for a behind-closed-doors Nations League match at Wembley. England won 4-0 with Declan Rice and Phil Foden (2) scoring for their country for the first time. Mason Mount got the other goal. England also won their other Nations League match two months previous, thanks to Raheem Sterling’s penalty.
Before that came one of Iceland’s most memorable results to date, beating the Three Lions 2-1 to knock them out of Euro 2016, in what was Roy Hodgson’s last match as England manager.
It was Iceland’s first and only victory over England, after the Three Lions also won 6-1 in 2004 and drew 1-1 in a 1982 friendly.
Predictions
England fans will be hoping to wave the team off to the Euros off the back of two resounding victories, and they should get them.
- England to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-0
- England to beat Iceland 2-0
Latest odds
- England to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1/6
- Bosnia and Herzegovina win – 18/1
- Draw – 15/2
- England to beat Iceland – 1/6
- Iceland win – 16/1
- Draw – 13/2
Odds right as of June 3
Betting on Euro 2024? Take a have a look at these Euro 2024 free bets and betting presents
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/0/euro-2024-warm-up-match-vs-bosnia-iceland-when-what-channel/