Concern for England as John Stones misses training ahead of Euro 2024 opener

John Stones is struggling with illness in Germany (Picture: Getty Images)

John Stones is not involved with England training on Wednesday with the Manchester City defender struggling with illness just four days before the Three Lions begin their Euro 2024 campaign.

There was an injury concern over the centre-back when he took a knock in the friendly with Iceland last week, but he was in training on Tuesday in Germany and all seemed well.

However, he has come down with illness since then and is not involved with the rest of the squad on Wednesday, causing some concern ahead of the opener against Serbia on Sunday evening.

The other 25 players in the squad are training on Wednesday, with further encouraging signs for Luke Shaw, who is pushing for a return from injury.

The Manchester United left-back has not played since February and is something of a gamble from Gareth Southgate in the squad this summer.

The former Southampton man appears to be progressing well, though, and he looks set to feature in the group stages as he nears fitness again after the muscle problem.

The severity of Stones’ illness is yet to be confirmed, but Southgate will be very keen to have him available on Sunday after Harry Maguire missed out on the squad through injury.

If Stone were not available then England would be lacking international experience at centre-back after Maguire’s injury.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is expected to start in the middle of defence, with the likes of Lewis Dunk, Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez other options to play at centre-back.

The England camp were in good spirits in training on Tuesday (Picture: Getty Images)

Otherwise it has been good news for England in training this week, with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Dunk seemingly fit and trouble-free after slight injury concerns.

Jude Bellingham is also back with the squad after his extended break following Real Madrid’s Champions League glory at Wembley.

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