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    England boss Gareth Southgate fires warning to his squad after Iceland shocker and tells them to ‘get the focus right’

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    GARETH SOUTHGATE has warned: Jude Bellingham cannot solve England’s problems on his own.The Real Madrid superstar joins up with the Three Lions on Sunday after being given time off to recover from his Champions League triumph.Returning midfield hero Jude Bellingham can’t take all the responsibility, says England manager Gareth SouthgateCredit: GettySouthgate has spotted areas that need fixing after the 1-0 loss to IcelandCredit: RexBellingham arrives at St George’s Park with his England team-mates still reeling from Friday night’s humiliating 1-0  Wembley defeat to Iceland.Southgate admits Bellingham can lift the squad — who head for the Euros in Germany tomorrow  — but the boss said: “I’m sure he will but it is not his responsibility to do that.“It is for all of us to get the focus right, to make sure our mentality is right and make sure we’re working on the areas that need to be better than against Iceland.“We are not putting everything on Jude.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS“We’ve got a lot of good players and it is a collective thing to go and try to win this tournament.“If we are relying on one person, that isn’t going to be a team that wins.”Bellingham, 20, had a stellar first season with Real, winning LaLiga then clinching Euro glory with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.Southgate gave the ex-Birmingham and Dortmund midfield star extra time off to recharge.Most read in Euro 2024Ivan Toney, Joe Gomez, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale reflect on Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Iceland in England’s final warm-up gameCredit: GettyPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
    EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSHe missed both  the 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia and that disastrous final warm-up against Iceland.Now all eyes  are on  getting England firing for the Euro 2024 Group C opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen next Sunday.England star Kieran Trippier reveals ‘lunatic’ team-mate drove TRACTOR to training and did donuts on the pitchSouthgate added: “He is, of course, a player with fabulous mentality and will have a big impact on the whole group.“But the biggest thing over the last couple of games is we’ve never had the collective together on the pitch at the same time.“There are still players we are finding out about and it sharpens the focus leading into Serbia.”John Stones is a fitness worry after his ankle knock against Iceland. The defender will be assessed by England’s medical staff today.With Harry Maguire out of the squad due to a calf injury, Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah is on standby.Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker saw the Three Lions struggleCredit: GettyGareth Southgate will take the handbrake off at Euro 2024… because he has no choiceBy Charlie Wyett

    GARETH SOUTHGATE will have no choice but to take the handbrake off his England team at Euro 2024.
    The defensive crisis gripping the Three Lions means the only option in Germany, within ­reason, will be outright attack.
    Southgate has often been lambasted for his safety-first approach — even if he points out you must go back to Walter Winterbottom’s sides in the 1950s to find an England manager with a better scoring record.
    But with the crocked Harry Maguire left out, Luke Shaw not fit enough to start the tournament and John Stones having made just 12 ­Premier League starts this season, this is not a defence you would stake your life on.
    The last time England went to a major tournament in Germany — the 2006 World Cup — the four centre-backs selected were Sol Campbell (68 caps), Rio Ferdinand (47), Jamie Carragher (25) and John Terry (24).
    This time, when England fly out on Monday, the quartet will be Lewis Dunk (six), Joe Gomez (14), Marc Guehi (ten) and Ezri Konsa (three).
    It makes Southgate’s decision not to recall the 49-cap Eric Dier for his ­provisional squad even stranger — especially considering his strong end to the season with Bayern Munich.
    The elder statesman in his defence — and the one who absolutely has to stay fit — is 71-cap Stones. More

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      England 0 Iceland 1: Lightning strikes twice as Three Lions head to Euro 2024 haunted by ghost of Euros past

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      JUST as England were dreaming about emulating 1966 and all that, here was a horrific reprise of 2016 instead. Gareth Southgate’s men, favourites to win the Euros with all good bookmakers, suffered the worst possible send-off to Germany as they were humiliated by their bogeymen from a volcanic island in the North Atlantic. Jon Dagur Thornsteinsson opened the scoring for IcelandCredit: GettyHis goal silenced the Wembley crowdCredit: ReutersRamsdale should have done betterCredit: AlamyHere was a result and a performance which exposed Southgate’s youthful squad selection as a high-risk folly.Forget all the ‘football’s coming home’ and ‘this time we’ll get it right’ malarkey, this was an absolute shocker at Wembley, which poured ridicule on ideas that England are ready to win their first major trophy in 58 years.England were not just beaten by Iceland – just as they had been in the match which toasted Roy Hodgson at Euro 2016 – they were lucky to avoid a hiding.The Iceland side of eight years ago were actually half-decent. The current lot are ranked 71st in the world and have not qualified for the Euros, yet they threatened to tear England to ribbons in the second half.READ MORE ON ENGLANDJon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s early strike, courtesy of blunders from Kyle Walker and Aaron Ramsdale, earned Iceland their win.But it was the way in which Iceland continually threatened the England goal in the second half which was most worrying of all.Southgate chose eight of the eleven who are likely to face Serbia in the Euros opener in Gelsenkirchen next Sunday – and they were woeful.The defence is naive and unbalanced, the midfield lacked spark and the forwards were completely devoid of composure.Most read in Euro 2024Kane should have scored from close rangeCredit: GettyBut England generally struggled to createCredit: AFPEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSIt can only be hoped that Jude Bellingham – rested after his Champions League triumph here last weekend – can spark England into life because this display made a mockery of their status as contenders for this crown.Harry Kane, who missed a glorious first-half chance here, has not played with Bellingham since October and England’s two main men need to rediscover their understanding for the clash with the dangerous Serbs.England line up for Euro 2024 announced in Three Lions squad video Phil Foden was given the chance to play centrally but faded badly after a bright start.Southgate can wear all the cream knitwear he likes in a bid to look cuddly, but he has been utterly ruthless in his treatment of established players in the build-up to this tournament.Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire have all been ditched, following on from Raheem Sterling being jettisoned after the World Cup.It is almost as if, for what is almost certain to be his last stand as England manager, Southgate is determined to torpedo the most common criticisms against him – too much loyalty, too much caution.The handbrakes-and-shackles brigade have found a different line of attack.Suddenly, it’s reckless Southgate, a man who has thrown caution to the wind and ending up having his house blown down.There was a horrible early scare when John Stones fell awkwardly under a challenge from Thorsteinsson and appeared to injure his ankle.With Maguire already out, Stones has now taken on ravens in the Tower status. If he goes, Southgate’s kingdom collapses.Southgate will be left with more questions than answers after this gameCredit: RexBut after a minute’s panic, Stones was back on his feet.England were playing some lovely stuff, especially Foden who was revelling in centre stages, and yet suddenly after only 12 minutes, Iceland were ahead.Played onside by Marc Guehi, Thorsteinsson cut inside Kyle Walker and drilled a shot which beat Aaron Ramsdale at his near post.It was poor from the Manchester City captain but even worse from Arsenal’s reserve keeper. For the indispensability of Stones, read the indispensability of Jordan Pickford.Still, Southgate’s men continued to do most of the attacking, although a wayward shot and then a poor cross from Anthony Gordon stopped them in their tracks and left some pining for super Jackie Grealish.Declan Rice closed down keeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, forcing him to pass straight to Cole Palmer, whose shot was blocked.Next, Palmer delivered a sweet centre from the right but Kane shinned over a volley from six yards.It was time for the Viking Thunderclap to ring out from the away supporters’ section, causing anyone who was in Nice eight years ago to break out in a cold sweat.And before half-time, it was almost 2-0 when Palmer lost possession on the edge of his own box and Amor Ingvi Traustason was brilliantly blocked by Guehi.England fans made paper planes to deal with their boredomCredit: GettyJohn Stones was forced off with injuryCredit: EPAStones was cotton-woolled at half-time, replaced by Ezri Konsa and England twice went close to an equaliser.First Foden dragged a shot wide from a Gordon cut-back then Palmer fired into the side-netting.But soon Iceland were breaking in a two-on-one, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson squaring for Thorsteinsson, who fell on his backside when he ought to have scored.Southgate made a quadruple substitution bringing Ivan Toney and Bukayo Saka on for Kane and Gordon in attack – but again, Iceland almost doubled their lead – Svenir Ingason given a free header from a corner but Ramsdale smothering his effort.Suddenly Iceland were in complete control, continually getting behind England’s naive defence and a scrambling Ramsdale was forced to push a long-ranger over his bar.READ MORE SUN STORIESEngland scrambled around aimlessly in scenes spookily reminiscent of their Euro 2016 exit.It’s time for the tub-thumping optimism to stop. England are going to have to work their socks off to get out of the group stage.What Southgate said about axed England stars
      WHAT Gareth Southgate said about his axed England stars after confirming his 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.
      Harry Maguire
      “The decision on Harry [Maguire] is totally about his physical condition and his recovery from the injury. There is no other reason as he is one of our strongest centre-backs.
      “Harry has made some progress, but it’s been complicated and we wouldn’t have had him in the group stages. There were too many hurdles to get through without being clear where we might get to.
      “Knowing we haven’t got a clean bill of health across the rest of the backline, we need players who are fit and ready to go from the start.
      “It was a really difficult call, you know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and for me as a manager. ”
      Jack Grealish
      “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated.
      “I think the world of him as a kid.“It certainly doesn’t get any easier.
      “You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.
      “We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.”
      James Maddison
      “Madders [Maddison] and Jack [Grealish] would have provided us with something different as well and they’ve been tough calls.
      “They’re calls we’ve gone over and over and over as a group of staff to try to be fair and to try to use the right rationale.
      “We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. The boys are big characters, fabulous team-mates and great boys to work with.
      “It’s sad to have to deliver that news to them.”
      Jarrad Branthwaite
      “It’s a bit early for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. He has had a fabulous season, it was good to get him on the pitch the other night.
      “But of course, in an ideal world, you’d like that balance of left-footers. For him to be in ahead of the others, I don’t think it would have been the right call at this stage.”
      Jarell Quansah
      “Jarell Quansah has stayed with us. He’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley. It’ll be great for him to be us for the game.
      “Hopefully we’re not needing to call anyone else in.” More

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      Iceland’s trip to England comes under a cloud with star banned due to ongoing sexual assault case  

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      ICELAND come to Wembley under a cloud with star player Albert Gudmundsson suspended again because of an ongoing sexual assault case.The attacking midfielder, 26, was the fifth top-scorer in Serie A last season with 14 goals for Genoa.Albert Gudmundsson is one of two Iceland stars missingCredit: GettyHe has been a target for West Ham and Spurs, as well as a host of Italian clubs.But under Iceland FA rules he was banned from playing for his country when the allegations — which he denies — first emerged in 2023.The case was dropped earlier this year and the recalled Gudmundsson scored in both Euro 2024 play-off games. But the alleged victim has successfully appealed.READ MORE ON EURO 2024So Iceland boss Age Hareide will have to do without his star player — as well as key defender Victor Palsson — for the game against England.Hareide, the former Norway, Manchester City and Norwich defender, said: “It’s always bad to lose players.”But we have to talk about the players who are there. We have a lot of talent here. “I think it’s every player’s dream — and it was mine as well in 1980 — to play against England at Wembley.”Most read in Euro 2024Friday’s clash is England’s final warm-up ahead of the Euros.Gareth Southgate’s men then launch their campaign in Germany against Serbia on June 16.Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024The Three Lions will complete their group action by taking on Denmark four days later and Slovenia on June 25.Southgate hopes defenders Luke Shaw and Lewis Dunk will be back to full fitness within a week.The duo made England’s final 26-man squad despite not yet being ready.In contrast, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire is “devastated” to miss out – as his calf problem would rule him out for out at least the group matches. More

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      England star ruled out of Iceland clash with injury just minutes after being named in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad

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      LEWIS DUNK is OUT of England’s final warm-up game but IN their Euro 2024 squad.Dunk missing Friday’s Wembley friendly with Iceland highlights defensive injuries troubling Three Lions’ boss Gareth Southgate.Lewis Dunk, Ollie Watkins and Adam Wharton all survived the cutCredit: GettyBut Dunk won’t be fit for England’s final warm-up gameCredit: GettyHarry Maguire is the big absentee from the 26-man squad for Germany because of a calf problem.But Southgate is “gambling” on Maguire’s Manchester United team-mate Luke Shaw recovering quickly and fully at left-back.And Brighton centre-back Dunk, 32, has had preparations for his first major international tournament marred by his own calf issue.Southgate confirmed the Premier League stalwart “won’t be available” against Iceland.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSBut he stressed Dunk “can train from next week” and that “everyone else” is able to practice on Friday.Meanwhile, Southgate is showing faith in Shaw partly due to England’s lack of depth at left-back.He reckons the 28-year-old has “progressed well in the last few weeks”.Southgate revealed: “We think he can have involvement in the second group game. Most read in Euro 2024How England will line up after big names axed from Euros

      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He’s had a good volume of work and operating at good speed.”I think you can take one gamble and that’s a gamble which we have enough evidence on that we can take. ‘You know what he’s done for me’ – Emotional Gareth Southgate reveals why he left Harry Maguire out of England squadWhat Southgate said about axed England stars

      WHAT Gareth Southgate said about his axed England stars after confirming his 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.
      Harry Maguire
      “The decision on Harry [Maguire] is totally about his physical condition and his recovery from the injury. There is no other reason as he is one of our strongest centre-backs.
      “Harry has made some progress, but it’s been complicated and we wouldn’t have had him in the group stages. There were too many hurdles to get through without being clear where we might get to.
      “Knowing we haven’t got a clean bill of health across the rest of the backline, we need players who are fit and ready to go from the start.
      “It was a really difficult call, you know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and for me as a manager. ”
      Jack Grealish
      “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated.
      “I think the world of him as a kid.“It certainly doesn’t get any easier.
      “You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.
      “We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.”
      James Maddison
      “Madders [Maddison] and Jack [Grealish] would have provided us with something different as well and they’ve been tough calls.
      “They’re calls we’ve gone over and over and over as a group of staff to try to be fair and to try to use the right rationale.
      “We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. The boys are big characters, fabulous team-mates and great boys to work with.
      “It’s sad to have to deliver that news to them.”
      Jarrad Branthwaite
      “It’s a bit early for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. He has had a fabulous season, it was good to get him on the pitch the other night.
      “But of course, in an ideal world, you’d like that balance of left-footers. For him to be in ahead of the others, I don’t think it would have been the right call at this stage.”
      Jarell Quansah
      “Jarell Quansah has stayed with us. He’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley. It’ll be great for him to be us for the game.
      “Hopefully we’re not needing to call anyone else in.”

      “The fact he has experience and he’s a left-footer that can drive forward too.”The Three Lions open their Euro campaign against Serbia on June 16.Then come the last two group matches with Denmark five days later and Slovenia on June 25.Southgate added: “Part of the reason we couldn’t take Maguire is that he would have been the tenth defender, and that would have meant an unbalance elsewhere “We definitely wouldn’t have had him in the group stages … we need cover and need players fit from the start.” More

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      England stars serve up a dog’s dinner as Gordon, Rice and Gallagher are put through Crufts-style challenge

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      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.Viewers won’t have to be beagle-eyed to spot England stars Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher leading the challengesCredit: GettyRice and Co can’t avoid some ups and downsCredit: Channel 4 / Lee BrownConor Gallagher can’t be accused of paw form but now it’s the turn of his ‘not the most intelligent’ pup to face the spotlightCredit: Channel 4 / Lee BrownGareth Southgate will hope his players go through hoops for himCredit: AlamyAnthony 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 FootballEngland must overcome hurdles of their own at the EurosCredit: Channel 4 / Lee BrownENGLAND’S BONE FIDE XI OF BULLDOG SPIRITTHE 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 HoundersonKyle WalkiesBark GuehiEbere-Chihuahua EzeJack GrowlishCollie Watkins Jarrod BoneConor Ga-waggerKobbie MainoofoundlandHarry CaninePhil Fido

      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCentre-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.England make their official Euros 2024 squad announcement 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.Con your marks, get set, go! – Gallagher hopes his pup is up for the cupCredit: Channel 4 / Lee BrownEngland are relying on Rice to be a good boy in midfieldCredit: Channel 4 / Lee BrownHow England will line up after big names axed from Euros More

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      Gareth Southgate reveals axed England star who could STILL play in Euro 2024 and face Iceland at Wembley

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has named his seven-man Euro 2024 axe list.But for one England star, the dream may not yet be over.Gareth Southgate reckons it would be ‘great’ for Jarell Quansah to pick up Wembley experience against Iceland on FridayCredit: GettyHarry Maguire is ‘devastated’ to miss out on England’s squadCredit: GettyGareth Southgate axed the centre-back – but put him in the squad for Friday’s friendly with Iceland and on STANDBY for the finals.Injured Harry Maguire and Everton’s £80million-rated Jarrad Branthwaite might be seen as the biggest names omitted from his defensive options.But when asked if anyone would be on standby for the Euros, Southgate singled out a player who has made just 17 Premier League games.He said: “Jarell Quansah has stayed with us.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS”I think he’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley.”So I think that would be great for him to be with us for the game.”Southgate admitted it was agony reducing his 33-man squad to 26.Manchester United ace Maguire is “devastated” to be out with a calf issue that denied him a place in last month’s FA Cup final win over Man City.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSouthgate said: “Trent [Alexander-Arnold] can play play in defence and I think we have nine defenders.”Harry has made some progress but it’s been complicated, we definitely wouldn’t have had him for the group stages.”‘You know what he’s done for me’ – Emotional Gareth Southgate reveals why he left Harry Maguire out of England squadIn contrast, Southgate was confident enough in the recovery of Maguire’s club-mate Luke Shaw to keep the left-back in his reduced squad.He explained: “He’s progressed really well in the last couple of weeks.”At the moment we think he could have some involvement in the second group game.” I think you can take one gamble and that’s a gamble, we’ve got enough evidence to believe it can pay off.”Meanwhile, Quansah will be anxiously hoping for his senior Three Lions debut against Iceland.He only picked up his first league experience in January 2023 with a loan debut for Bristol Rovers in league One.READ MORE SUN STORIESThen came his England Under-20 bow two months later and his U21 introduction in October 2023.But he had a superb breakthrough season with Liverpool in 2023-24. More

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      Ivan Toney set to get just MINUTES to save Euro 2024 spot as he heads up seven-man list of England stars at risk of axe

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      IVAN TONEY will get a last-ditch chance to grab a Euro 2024 spot.England boss Gareth Southgate must deliver his final 26-man squad to Uefa before the 11pm deadline on Friday — just over an hour after the final whistle against Iceland at Wembley.Ivan Toney might have to shine against Iceland to stay in the squadCredit: GettyGareth Southgate suggested his priority is ‘to get Harry Kane right’Credit: RexJarrad Branthwaite and James Maddison are all smiles centre stage in training but are sweating on their places for the EurosCredit: ReutersToney did not feature in Monday’s 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina as Southgate wanted to give minutes to fit-again Harry Kane, who has struggled with a back injury.Southgate confirmed Toney will be involved against Iceland but added: “I have got to get Harry Kane right.“Sometimes the priorities of what’s required and what you would like to see, as well, means you can’t achieve all of those objectives. Simple as that.”Toney, 28, was out until January serving an eight-month betting ban and failed to score in his final eight games for Brentford.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut the striker netted a penalty in the Three Lions’ 2-2 draw with Belgium in March and has trained well with Southgate’s squad.Kane, who scored the third goal against Bosnia, had not played since Bayern Munich’s 2-1 Champions League loss at Real Madrid on May 8.The former Tottenham striker is set to start on Friday so Toney may have to come off the bench.Manchester City trio Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones plus United’s Kobbie Mainoo will also return after being given extra days off following the FA Cup final.Most read in Euro 2024Jack Grealish and Eberechi Eze were back in England training after doing their chances a fair bit of good in Monday’s 3-0 friendly winCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMainoo and Foden joined the squad yesterday.Southgate must axe seven players from his provisional group.Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand pick their England starting 11 for opening game of EurosEberechi Eze improved his chances with a decent display against Bosnia while Jack Grealish also impressed as a sub.Toney, keeper Dean Henderson, Joe Gomez, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarell Quansah, Curtis Jones and James Maddison are those in danger of being axed.Man City’s Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker return for EnglandCredit: Alamy More