England squad numbers CONFIRMED as Southgate drops huge hint at starting XI with Maguire’s replacement at No6 decided

ENGLAND’S squad numbers for the Euros have been confirmed – with a huge hint at who will replace Harry Maguire in the starting XI.

Gareth Southgate confirmed his 26-man squad for the tournament in Germany on Thursday evening.

The big omissions saw Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish and James Maddison dropped from the initial training squad – while Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson were not even in that original 33.

Maguire has worn No6 at recent tournaments, including at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

However, injury ruled him out of the Euros.

And Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi looks on course to be the first-choice centre-back partner for John Stones after being handed the No6.

Other notable numbers see Bukayo Saka get No7, the number Grealish wore in Qatar, while Jude Bellingham claims the famous No10.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role appears to be confirmed by the Liverpool star getting No8 – traditionally a central midfielder’s number rather than a right-back’s.

Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice and John Stones take the first five numbers as guaranteed starters if all fit.

England skipper Harry Kane is, of course, leading the line in his iconic No9 while Phil Foden nabs No11 from Rashford – a hint that he may well start on the left against Serbia next Sunday.

Kieran Trippier keeps No12 for the fourth major tournament in a row while Aaron Ramsdale is ahead of Dean Henderson in the pecking order – the Arsenal man has No13 while Henderson has No23.

Youngsters Adam Wharton (No25) and Kobbie Mainoo (No26) have the highest numbers.

Ivan Toney gets to play for England in the same number he wears in club football at Brentford, the No17.

England finalised their pre-Euros prep with a disappointing and worrying defeat to Iceland at Wembley last night.

In scenes reminiscent of Euro 2016, the Three Lions were booed as they came unstuck against their bogeymen from the volcanic island after an error from Ramsdale.

Kane squandered a glorious chance with a shinned volley and looked off the pace – although Mainoo and Guehi gave reason for optimism.

England have now kept just two clean sheets in their last seven matches and the absence of Maguire could be sorely missed in Germany.

To make matters worse, Stones was taken off at half-time after taking an early knock.

England will head out to their stunning five-star luxury base in Blankenhain on Monday – after Germany got kicked out.

The tournament hosts were keen to star at the swish Weimarer Land Golf Hotel and Spa but were forced into leaving to appease kit sponsors adidas.

As a result, Southgate and The FA swooped to book out the 350-acre resort for the entire Euros for £800,000.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk