Euro 2020 news LIVE: Harry Maguire trains with England ahead of Croatia tournament opener
Follow all the latest updates the day before the tournament kicks off in Rome
Welcome along to all the latest coverage ahead of Euro 2020 which gets going tomorrow in Rome. That’s come around quickly. Italy vs Turkey is the first game taking place at 8pm BST on Friday night, preceded by an opening ceremony of some kind – presumably scaled back given the pandemic. UK viewers can watch it all unfold on the BBC and online via the iPlayer.
There is a relaxed feel around the England camp, underpinned by Jack Grealish’s jovial press conference yesterday where he joked about Aston Villa’s lack of set-piece quality to take advantage of him being so regularly fouled, laughed off comparisons with Paul Gascoigne and – more bizarrely from one Italian journalist – Francesco Totti. Later Declan Rice discussed carrying “no fear” into the tournament and why he chose England over Ireland.
All the talk is about Gareth Southgate’s first selection for the opener with Croatia on Sunday with suggestions growing he could well opt for a back three with four full-backs in the line-up including Luke Shaw at centre-half. Harry Maguire trained for the first time this morning as he bids to prove his fitness for the tournament.
We will have all the latest news and updates right here ahead of the tournament finally getting under way this week, with press conferences from the Scotland, Wales and England camps all to come today.
Euro 2020 news: Luke Shaw at left centre-back on Sunday?
England manager Gareth Southgate is considering playing Luke Shaw at centre-back against Croatia this weekend in a move that could see England start their European Championships campaign with four full-backs in the team.
The move could see the Three Lions start Reece James and Luke Shaw either side of John Stones in a back three while Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell act as wing backs.
Southgate’s use of Shaw was the most intriguing development in training on Wednesday as the Manchester United left back has not played at centre back for his country. It is also rather indicative of England’s limited options.
Harry Maguire sat out training again on Wednesday as he attempts to recover from ankle ligament damage, leaving John Stones, Tyrone Mings, Conor Coady and Ben White as the only established centre half options.
Euro 2020 news: Allen over fitness issues and ‘ready to go'
Wales face Switzerland in Baku on Saturday in their opening game of Euro 2020, a tournament Allen feared he would miss when he ruptured an Achilles tendon last year.
The 31-year-old was given a reprieve when the tournament was postponed for 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He returned for Wales in March only to suffer a hamstring injury seven minutes into his first game back against Belgium, but Allen has regained his fitness once more and, having featured in friendly matches against France and Albania this month, he is ready to take on Switzerland.
"I was always confident I would have enough time to get things right," he said. "It’s not ideal preparation but thankfully I have had great help both here with the Welsh staff and at Stoke City. I am in a good placed physically and ready to go."
Euro 2020 news: Allen excited for ‘fearless’ Wales
Joe Allen is one of eight players in the 26-man squad who helped Wales reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals, while Manchester United winger Daniel James and Tottenham centre-back Joe Rodon are among the young additions hoping to inspire Wales this summer.
"They want to make their mark and show what they can do and showcase their talent," Allen told BBC Sport Wales. “That is one of the great strengths they have. They are fearless.
"They are hungry and ambitious to do well and they are really, really keen to show that, and I am confident they are going to do just that as well."
Jack Grealish on his failed driving test and why he has no England nerves ahead of Euro 2020
Jack Grealish has said that the nerves of representing England at a major international tournament will be nothing compared to his driving test, when he stalled the car and immediately left for training.
Grealish is quickly becoming one of the most popular members of Gareth Southgate’s squad, not least for the ease and assurance of his playing style, which belies an international career that is still only seven caps old.
The Aston Villa captain has no problem shifting through the gears on the pitch but it was a very different story six years ago, when as an up-and-coming 19-year-old, he had his test booked in the days leading up to the FA Cup final.
Jack Grealish’s failed driving test and why he has no England nerves
Nervous Grealish failed his driving test as soon as he left the test centre
Declan Rice on choosing England over Ireland and carrying ‘no fear’ into Euro 2020
You could say it was a little taste of the standard Declan Rice wants to reach, as well as a flavour of the team chemistry that Gareth Southgate hopes will bring England up a level.
Mere minutes after winning the Champions League final, Mason Mount was FaceTiming his childhood friend to show him his medal.
“It was straight after, from the dressing room, buzzing,” Rice laughs. “But we’ve got to be a bit careful because people will say we’re in love. Every time we FaceTime, all of his team-mates jump in and say: ‘You two need to stop talking to each other.’”
Declan Rice on choosing England over Ireland and carrying ‘no fear’ into Euro 2020
West Ham captain could start in Gareth Southgate’s midfield alongside childhood friend Mason Mount as Three Lions prepare to ‘give it a real go’
Euro 2020 kicks off tomorrow!
Welcome along to all the latest coverage ahead of Euro 2020 which gets going tomorrow in Rome. That’s come around quickly. Italy vs Turkey is the first game taking place at 8pm BST on Friday night, preceded by an opening ceremony of some kind – presumably scaled back given the pandemic. UK viewers can watch it all unfold on the BBC and online via the iPlayer.
There is a relaxed feel around the England camp, underpinned by Jack Grealish’s jovial press conference yesterday where he joked about Aston Villa’s lack of set-piece quality to take advantage of him being so regularly fouled, laughed off comparisons with Paul Gascoigne and – more bizarrely from one Italian journalist – Francesco Totti. Later Declan Rice discussed carrying “no fear” into the tournament and why he chose England over Ireland.
We will have all the latest news and updates right here ahead of the tournament finally getting under way this week, with press conferences from the Scotland, Wales and England camps all to come today.
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