Workhorse Maguire may have to rest

Gareth SouthGate is concerned about harry Maguire’s fitness for england’s euro 2020 qualifiers against Montenegro and Kosovo this week amid frustration that the Manchester united defender has played more than 630 minutes for his club in under a month. Maguire (below) has played every minute for united in all their seven matches since the last international break, leading to fears that he could be suffering from fatigue before games which will determine england’s qualification and seeding for next summer’s tournament. Maguire is Southgate’s first-choice centre back and would ordinarily start both matches, as he did last month’s qualifiers against Czech republic and Bulgaria. But the england manager may be forced to rest him for one of the games as he is wary of him breaking down. Identifying a fixed central defensive pairing is one of Southgate’s major concerns ahead, as John Stones and Joe Gomez have been used sparingly by Manchester City and Liverpool this season, leading to call-ups for tyrone Mings and Fikayo tomori. Southgate’s frustration with Maguire’s workload has been exacerbated by the fact that ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reliance on him is highly unusual. In addition to playing all four Premier League games, the 26-year-old has played throughout two europa League games and a Carabao Cup tie, whereas other Premier League managers have rested their england players in some cup matches. In contrast, Solskjaer has leant heavily on Maguire and Marcus rashford, who has also been involved in all of united’s seven matches over the last month, although the striker did start one game on the bench and has been substituted on four occasions. Southgate has more options up front however so it is the central defensive situation that is giving him most concern this week. Mings made his debut alongside Maguire against Bulgaria last month and is hopeful of keeping his place against Montenegro at Wembley on thursday. another newcomer looking to stake a claim is James Maddison, who is set for his debut in one of this week’s clashes — against either Montenegro or Kosovo on Sunday. the Leicester midfielder has featured in three of Southgate’s squads but is yet to make his bow. Now, after a collection of sterling performances at club level, there is a sense within the england camp that the 22-year-old is finally ready. Southgate will speak to Maddison about the controversy over his casino visit 24 hours after withdrawing from the last squad through illness, though the england manager will not reprimand him too severely. Maddison is one of three uncapped players in the squad, alongside Chelsea defender tomori and Sheffield united goalkeeper Dean henderson. Southgate will also be forced to overhaul his central midfield for the Montenegro game due to the suspension of Liverpool’s Jordan henderson and injury to Chelsea’s ross Barkley.