GARETH SOUTHGATE admits he is in the dark whether Harry Maguire will be fit for the Euros – because Manchester United have kept his medical details secret from England.
Maguire was named in the provisional 33-man squad for this summer despite being sidelined with ankle ligament damage and the Three Lions boss is desperate to have his centre-back available.
But because United have not divulged any fitness info to protect their Europa League final planning, it has left Southgate uncertain just how fit the 28-year-old will be by the time the Euros kick off next month.
He said: “At this moment in time, Harry might play tomorrow or he might be out for two months I just don’t know.
“We had an initial assessment, which was positive in terms of the tournament, but there was always a little bit more swelling and further investigation needed.
“Of course when you’ve got a European final and information for the opposition is so tight and things do leak I understand why clubs want to keep their cards close to their chest.
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“It’s made it a little bit more difficult for us but I don’t have a problem with Manchester United at all, I totally understand it.”
Maguire was joined in the squad by Jordan Henderson who has not played since February after a groin operation and the two senior stars are causing the biggest headaches for Southgate.
He added: “It’s a concern because we just don’t know the level they are at.
“With Jordan we know he’s on a good path. He’s got a load of good work into his legs.
“He chose to go that route in terms of his rehabilitation rather than pushing to be on the bench.
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“We were in communication through that. He’s maybe ahead physically one or two others who have had injuries but have got back on the field, so look fit, but have got they intensity, can they raise the level?
“We’ve got to manage those players very carefully through this first period. We need to push but we don’t want to break them and we’ve got to get that balance right.
“They’re all important players without doubt but the two are more of a concern because of the unknown really.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
