England’s national team encountered a setback on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, as four pivotal players were absent from training.
Among those missing were Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Henderson, and Cole Palmer, just days before facing Brazil and Belgium at Wembley. According to Sky Sports, the players opted for personal training programs instead of joining the standard team session.
Harry Kane, England’s captain and top scorer, sustained an ankle injury during Bayern Munich’s recent victory over Darmstadt. Despite his injury, Kane reported for duty at St George’s Park on Tuesday. Bukayo Saka, a key player for Arsenal, had been sidelined since their win against Porto, having played the full 120 minutes of that match.
Jordan Henderson, who plays for Ajax, participated in a personal training program due to his recent match against Sparta Rotterdam. Similarly, Cole Palmer, representing Chelsea, was absent despite his recent involvement in the FA Cup victory over Leicester.
The absence of these players poses a significant challenge for England’s preparations. With Gareth Southgate’s squad already depleted by injuries, their availability for the upcoming matches against Brazil and Belgium is uncertain. Southgate hopes for Kane’s availability, as these matches serve as crucial assessments before naming the squad for the European Championship in Germany.
BREAKING: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer were absent from England team training on Wednesday to undertake personal programmes ??????? pic.twitter.com/TgZXPpcsqs
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw of Manchester United continued his rehabilitation at St George’s Park, while Manchester City’s Kian Noble, despite being suspended for an under-17 qualifier against Northern Ireland, joined the senior group for training.
The situation underscores the importance of player availability and fitness for international matches. With upcoming campaigns like the UEFA Nations League and the European Championship, England’s management is closely monitoring the recovery of these players to ensure they are match-ready for the challenges ahead.
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