ENGLAND is sweating on the fitness of Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier.
The two stars were absent from training with the rest of the squad ahead of the round of 16 clash against Slovakia.
Phil Foden was also missing from training, but that was due to him flying home for the birth of his third child.
Rice and Trippier also missed training and have been doing their own individual programmes.
The Arsenal midfielder has been a regular for England since breaking into the team during his West Ham days.
Gareth Southgate has struggled to find a partner for Rice in midfield and could not have another problem if he is not fit.
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The boss could now look to Adam Wharton or Kobbie Mainoo to step up and start in the midfield.
In the draw against Slovenia, Southgate started with Rice and Conor Gallagher so one of the youngsters could line up next to the Chelsea man.
Trippier’s potential injury from the clash against Slovakia could be softened by Luke Shaw.
The Manchester United defender confirmed he is ready to play after missing the entire of the group stages.
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Trippier had been filling in at left-back during Shaw’s absence but came under fire for his performances at Euro 2024.
Shaw is the only recognised left-back in the Three Lions squad as Southgate refused to call up another as back-up.
England take on Slovakia in the last-16 clash on Sunday at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
The team have been fortunate enough to be on the side of the draw that avoids the likes France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain until the final.
Should England get past Slovakia then they would face either Italy or Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
England player ratings: Southgate’s Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs Slovenia
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
