Home Football Gareth Southgate’s preliminary England squad trains together for the first time ahead of Euro 2024… with grinning Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw looking to establish their fitness

Gareth Southgate’s preliminary England squad trains together for the first time ahead of Euro 2024… with grinning Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw looking to establish their fitness

Football — 05/31/2024

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.

For the club, they have both struggled with form and missed last weekend’s FA Cup victory due to injury. 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 looked rather happy during England's first training session+5View gallery

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw looked rather happy during England’s first training session

There were also broad smiles from Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Maddison in Darlington+5View gallery

There were also broad smiles from Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Maddison in Darlington

Gareth Southgate is preparing for two friendlies ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany in June

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 training at England camp on WednesdayPalace's Adam Wharton was also training following his first senior call-up

Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton were among the four Crystal Palace players training at camp

Ezri Konsa was taking part in the training session ahead of next week's friendliesAston Villa star Ollie Watkins was also involved with Wednesday's practice

Aston Villa duo Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins also took part in the training session in Darlington

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