PHIL FODEN is set to start against Slovakia after returning to England training today.
The Manchester City midfielder left the camp for the birth of his third child but took a private flight back to Germany ahead of the morning session.
Foden is set to keep his place in the team and the only change for the last-16 clash could be Kobbie Mainoo replacing Conor Gallagher in midfield.
Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier look set to feature despite missing Thursday’s training.
Of the two, Trippier is believed to be the bigger fitness concern.
Should the Newcastle star be unable to play, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is the favourite to start at left-back.
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Luke Shaw, out since February with a hamstring injury, has also taken part in all of the sessions this week but he is likely to start on the substitute’s bench.
England topped Group C with five points from a possible nine after beating Serbia and managing draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
But the Three Lions have struggled to impress, scoring just two goals.
Following Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia, Southgate said: “I understand the narrative towards me. That’s better for the team than it being towards them.
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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.
“But it’s creating an unusual environment to operate in. I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.
“I understand some of the reactions but it’s a strange environment we’re playing in.
“I thought we were much improved with the ball, we’ve created some good openings and at the moment it’s hard work for us because we’re not quite getting that break in front of goal.
“So many things are starting to come together. We had a lot of issues coming into the tournament and today we looked more dangerous, we had a good impact from our substitutes, and we’ve got just now to convert our chances.”
England face Slovakia on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen.
Victory for the Three Lions in the last-16 will set up a quarter-final tie against either Switzerland or Italy.
France, Spain, Germany and Portugal are all on the other side of the draw.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
