Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were in good spirits as they smiled for the camera during an England training session in Darlington on Wednesday.

The team has battled with form and missed last weekend’s FA Cup victory due to injuries. However, there was a silver lining: they joined the England camp.  

Maguire and Shaw joined up with their international teammates earlier than planned in order to establish their health ahead of Euro 2024 and secure their place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man Germany group. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Maddison both smiled during England’s first training session in preparation for the European Championships this summer.

Southgate’s Three Lions will play friendlies against Bosnia and Iceland before starting their Group C campaign against Serbia on June 16.  

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were very thrilled during England’s first training session.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Maddison smiled broadly in Darlington.

Gareth Southgate is preparing for two friendly matches ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany in June.

England generally trains at the national training centre St George’s Park, but Darlington is closer to Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, which will host the first of their two pre-tournament friendlies next week. 

Manchester City and Manchester United players have been exempted from early training sessions due to their performances in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Man City’s John Stones, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and Jack Grealish are all missing, as is 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who scored in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory at Wembley.

These five players will not play against Bosnia in Newcastle on Monday, but they could face Iceland later next week.  

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham will also arrive late to the camp, missing both of England’s friendlies next week due to his likely participation in the Champions League final this weekend.

Other players, however, have been summoned to England’s training camp in the north-west of England, including four Crystal Palace players in Southgate’s extended squad, including Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton, who received his first senior call-up in this team announcement.

Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa also participated in the training session in Darlington, ahead of next week’s friendlies, which might be key in securing a spot in the tournament’s final roster.

England captain Harry Kane has also returned to the country following his heroics with Bayern Munich this season, breaking numerous Bundesliga debut records and aiming for similar success with the national team in June and July. 

Eberechi Eze was one of four Crystal Palace players who trained at England camp on Wednesday. Palace’s Adam Wharton was also training after his first senior call-up.

Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton were among the four Crystal Palace players exercising in camp.

Ezri Konsa was participating in the training session ahead of next week’s friendly. Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins was also involved in Wednesday’s session.

Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins also participated in the training session in Darlington.

England captain Harry Kane was stretching during his return to the country from Bayern Munich.