England Euro squad announcement: Gareth Southgate delays decision by a week due to injuries

England stars face a waiting game as Gareth Southgate DELAYS naming his final Euro 2020 squad by a week due to injury pile-up and will instead announce an extended list on Tuesday… but Trent Alexander-Arnold could STILL miss out

England players face an extra week of agonising over whether they have made Gareth Southgate‘s final Euros squad.

The Three Lions boss was due to name his 26-man party, plus a group of stand-by and training players, for the tournament at 1pm on Tuesday – but it emerged on Monday night that Southgate will now announce an extended provisional squad before revealing the final cut on June 1.

The move buys Southgate seven days to check on the fitness of key players Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire, who are both major injury concerns heading into the tournament, while it also provides the England boss with room to manoeuvre with regards to players involved in European finals this week.

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Gareth Southgate will announce extended provisional Euros squad before final cut on June 1

Gareth Southgate will announce extended provisional Euros squad before final cut on June 1

Gareth Southgate will announce extended provisional Euros squad before final cut on June 1

Nevertheless, Trent Alexander-Arnold remains among a group of players fearing the worst ahead of the squad announcements.

Fellow right backs Kyle Walker and Reece James, who were both named ahead of the Liverpool star in the previous squad, are set to feature for Manchester City and Chelsea respectively in Saturday’s Champions League final. Kieran Trippier, right back for Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, also seems likely to be included by Southgate.

The full-back has been in excellent form since the April internationals – playing a key role in Liverpool’s third-placed finish.

But Alexander-Arnold, 22, is bracing himself for disappointment once again, though Southgate’s decision to delay naming his final 26 leaves the door ajar.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could yet miss out on the squad despite his strong end to the season

Trent Alexander-Arnold could yet miss out on the squad despite his strong end to the season

Trent Alexander-Arnold could yet miss out on the squad despite his strong end to the season

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is hopeful of capping his excellent breakthrough season with a spot in Southgate’s squad.

The 17-year-old has been outstanding in his first full season with the Bundesliga club, playing a key role in their third-placed finish and run to the Champions League quarter-final.

Bellingham’s performances in Europe are understood to have particularly impressed Southgate, who is convinced the teenager is the long-term successor to Henderson in England’s midfield.

The teenager’s club team-mate Jadon Sancho is also expected to be selected following an impressive end to the season in Germany.

Sportsmail understands that the attacker was facing the prospect of missing out earlier this year after a slump in form but his promising end to the season looks to have salvaged his Euro hopes.

After a stunning breakthrough, 17-year-old Jude Bellingham is hoping for a place in the squad

After a stunning breakthrough, 17-year-old Jude Bellingham is hoping for a place in the squad

After a stunning breakthrough, 17-year-old Jude Bellingham is hoping for a place in the squad

Key duo Henderson and Maguire are also expected to be selected in Southgate’s party despite worrying injury concerns.

Henderson hasn’t played since March due to a groin injury that required surgery. It was hoped the Liverpool skipper would be back playing by now but did not feature in the Reds’ run-in, though he has started training with Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Similarly, Maguire is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury earlier this month.

Harry Maguire remains a doubt to be able to finish the season with United after suffering an ankle injury

Harry Maguire remains a doubt to be able to finish the season with United after suffering an ankle injury

Jordan Henderson has spent several weeks on the sidelines after being crocked playing for Liverpool

Jordan Henderson has spent several weeks on the sidelines after being crocked playing for Liverpool

Late fitness checks will be made on Harry Maguire (left) and Jordan Henderson (right)

It is understood concerns over Manchester United skipper Maguire are more significant with England staff than that of Henderson.

But Southgate is expected to select his experienced duo in hope that they can prove their fitness in time for the tournament, the decision to name a provisional squad on Tuesday partly down to allowing the pair extra time.

Kalvin Phillips is also expected to be selected despite injuring a shoulder in the game against West Brom on Sunday, while Baggies keeper Sam Johnstone is set to replace Burnley’s Nick Pope, who is almost certain to miss the tournament through injury.

Everton’s Ben Godfrey, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood are also on Southgate’s radar and could feature in Tuesday’s extended party. 

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