WE’LL BEAT VIRUS AND ROAR BACK FOR EUROS

Southgate admits he’s full of 3 Lions pride

GARETH SOUTHGATE has promised England will be firing on all cylinders when the European Championship finally kick off in June next year.

The Three Lions boss has been forced to postpone his first squad get-together of the year, with the forthcoming friendlies at Wembley against Italy and Denmark already cancelled.

Southgate has assured all those who would have been involved this summer that they will remain at the forefront of his thoughts next year.

And in a Churchillian address to fans up and down the country (right), Southgate predicts that when he leads England into his third tournament, he’ll never be prouder to be the leader.

While strikers Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford would have had fitness concerns hanging over them had the Euros not been hit by coronavirus, Southgate hopes he’ll have a fully-fit squad – with perhaps one or two new additions – to choose from next year.

“When we play again as an England team, it will be at a time when not only our country but the rest of the world is well on the road to recovery,” he said.

“Hopefully we will be closer to each other than ever and ready for the beautiful distraction that football can bring.

“To play in the European Championship next summer will be possible for all of our squad and so we shouldn’t spend another moment thinking about the postponement of the competition.

“I feel sure that when the moment comes, never have been prouder to be the leader.”

As well as guiding England into the World Cup semi-finals 18 months ago and qualifying for the

I will inaugural Nations League finals, Southgate carved out a reputation for his excellent PR skills.

At Russia 2018, after England had defied the odds to reach the last four, he was jokingly asked if he was the right man to sort out the

Brexit mess.

This time around,

Boris Johnson and his

Government will appreciate Southgate’s plea for football fans to heed the expert advice and avoid social contact while taking every step necessary at this difficult time.

Southgate added: “In the way you’ve all come together to support our team, we must now work together to combat a virus that is causing physical and emotional issues to so many.

“So please continue to follow the guidelines for hygiene and also the sensible precautions put in place to control the spread of the virus in order to protect those most vulnerable to its has impact. That responsibility lies with us all.” The Three Lions squad is still young, with an average age around the 25 mark, so pushing back the tournament to the following summer won’t make a significant difference in that respect.

Indeed, with many youngsters in it, a 12-month delay could even work to Southgate’s advantage.

There will be those who have missed their golden opportunity.

While John Stones, Danny Rose and Callum Wilson would probably have been included this summer, that may no longer be the case in 2021. And with the competition for places in midfield red hot, even Alex Oxladechamberlain could find himself pushed out with Jack Grealish surely set for a call-up at some stage. Phil Foden will need regular first-team action at Manchester City to enhance his claims. And Manchester United’s rapidly developing duo of Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams could be the main beneficiaries of the delay. so