Southgate left in a sweat over Maguire’s fitness

GARETH SOUTHGATE is sweating on Harry Maguire’s availability for England’s opening Euro 2020 clash against Croatia in 16 days’ time. There are also concerns over Marcus Rashford’s fitness, with the manager fearing the Manchester United forward will need to be carefully monitored throughout the campaign. Maguire would be a guaranteed starter for England given his position as Southgate’s first-choice central defender, but an ankle injury sustained against Aston Villa earlier this month is threatening his participation in at least some part of the tournament. The fact he has hardly been able to run since suffering the injury is also a concern. Southgate admitted he was kept in the dark over the ex-Leicester man’s fitness by United ahead of their Europa League final defeat by Villarreal this week.

England medical staff will now have a clearer idea of the extent of Maguire’s injury ahead of his arrival next week. Similarly, Rashford heads into the tournament with concerns over his foot and shoulder. Southgate is resigned to managing the United star’s workload over the next six weeks to ensure his continued availability. Following the loss to Villarreal, Rashford said: ‘I could walk you into the dressing room and show you five, six, seven players — me as well — who have had injuries from the start of the season. ‘Will I be fit for the Euros? Forget about the foot for now. The disappointment means I don’t feel the foot.’ Twelve months ago, Rashford seemed a certainty to start at the Euros but his injury problems coupled with the emergence of Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish leaves his place in the starting XI at risk.