English clubs’ success is a headache for Southgate

GARETH SOUTHGATE is facing major disruption to his preparations for the Euros as he is set to be without a host of players for England’s final warm-up games.

Manchester City face Chelsea in the Champions League final on May 29, which is the weekend the England squad were due to report up at St George’s Park.

That means the likes of Phil Foden and Mason Mount are set to miss the build-up for the tournament and potentially the friendlies with Austria on June 2 and against Romania four days later at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

City’s quartet of Foden, Kyle Walker, John Stones and

Raheem Sterling are expected to miss both matches, while Chelsea trio Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James would also be unavailable.

England boss Southgate and the clubs are likely to want to give the players a short break after the end of the season.

Southgate (above) wants to give every player a week off before the Euros to recharge batteries after a tough season.

That means it could also have a knock-on effect for

Manchester United’s England contingent as the Europa

League final is three days earlier, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Dean Henderson, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford set to be called up by England.

Southgate will name his squad on May 25, with UEFA allowing nations to pick 26 players.

But it still means England could have limited numbers for the Austria and Romania games.

England’s Euros campaign will start against Croatia on June 13, followed by Scotland (June 18) and the Czech Republic (June 21), with all three matches to be played at Wembley.