ENGLAND will be out to prove they can hold on to a lead — and that is BEFORE kick-off against Iceland.
A hat-trick of Three Lions stars took part in a Crufts-style dog agility competition to be broadcast in the build-up to Channel 4’s coverage.
Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher and Declan Rice put three pooches through their paces during some downtime ahead of their final warm-up before the Euros in Germany.
In an event more paw-paw-two than 4-4-2, Gordon paired up with a mutt named Jack Growlish, Gallagher was with Harry Canine and Rice partnered Collie Watkins.
Two of the players’ attempts ended up resembling a dog’s dinner, though.
All three have hounds of their own, with Newcastle star Gordon, 23, revealing: “My dogs don’t listen to me.
READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
“But they’re good, they’ve got good energy.”
Chelsea ace Gallagher, 23, said of his pup: “He can jump up on his back two legs which is always quite cute but he’s not the most intelligent.”
It was the latest in a series of fun films, with England stars also taking part in Bake Off and Countdown.
But injuries in defence have been less amusing for boss Gareth Southgate.
Most read in Football
ENGLAND’S BONE FIDE XI OF BULLDOG SPIRIT
THE Three Lions go into Euro 2024 hoping to collar only their second major trophy.
And when they won the 1966 World Cup, it needed a border collie named Pickles to find the trophy when it went missing.
So as England add a dog-style challenge to their build-up for Germany, here’s how they might line up if they want to match Euro icons of the past like Franz Barkenbauer, Johan Crufts and, erm, John Terrier.
Dean Hounderson
Kyle Walkies
Bark Guehi
Ebere-Chihuahua Eze
Jack Growlish
Collie Watkins
Jarrod Bone
Conor Ga-wagger
Kobbie Mainoofoundland
Harry Canine
Phil Fido
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Centre-back rock Harry Maguire has been left out of the 26-man squad entirely due to his calf problem.
Manchester United team-mate Luke Shaw made the cut – but isn’t yet fully fit.
And Brighton’s Lewis Dunk will sit out the Iceland clash as he recovers from a leg injury.
This all means Liverpool’s breakthrough star Jarell Quansah has been put on standby.
The 21-year-old was omitted from the final 26 but is in the squad for Friday’s final warm-up game.
How England will line up after big names axed from Euros
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
