Jordan Henderson’s hopes of playing at Euro 2020 are looking increasingly slim amid calls for Gareth Southgate to prioritise fully fit England players.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold already ruled out due to a thigh injury, Southgate may yet have to replace two players in his 26-man squad as Henderson continues to struggle with a groin problem.
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The Liverpool midfielder has not played since February and was unable to feature in the 1-0 friendly victory over Austria on Wednesday due to discomfort earlier that day.
Scans revealed no further problems and there are hopes the Three Lions vice-captain will play some part in the warm-up match against Romania on Sunday after training as normal this week.
However, Southgate has all-but ruled out Henderson playing in the Euro 2020 opener against Croatia in nine days time.
“I don’t think it would be fair to rule him out of [the first game] but I think it’s clear to everyone how much football he’s missed,” Southgate said.
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“The timelines are getting more difficult with each training session he might miss. But I’m being very realistic about what’s possible here.
“It’s a decision we took [to select Henderson] because we have been able to take extra players and we feel he is such an important influence around the place. If we can get him close to being able to contribute on the pitch against Croatia that will be a real bonus at the moment.”
Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips are also nursing injuries, while Jadon Sancho missed the Austria win due to illness.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has criticised Southgate for picking so many injured stars after Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse, Ollie Watkins, Ben Godfrey and Ben White were axed from the provisional squad.
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“I don’t understand why we’re taking so many injured players to a major tournament,” O’Hara told talkSPORT. “We’ve done it before and it’s backfired.
“You’ve got Ward-Prowse, Lingard, White – they’re all ready to go. Why are we not taking a fit team?”
Southgate will replace Alexander-Arnold after the Romania friendly on Sunday – and with three right-backs remaining in the squad, Lingard seems like the most likely option.
However, O’Hara has argued the case for Southampton captain Ward-Prowse, a set-piece specialist who may yet deputise for Henderson anyway.
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“Trent is a set-piece specialist,” O’Hara added. “There is talk of Lingard replacing him but, for me, I think Ward-Prowse needs to be in there.
“He can play in midfield, Henderson is still not right. Ward-Prowse gives you something different.
“How many games are decided by set-pieces? You’ve got to take him.”
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