Phil Foden is reportedly flying back to Germany this evening (Thursday) to return to the England camp following the birth of his third child.
The Manchester City star left the squad following Tuesday’s draw with Slovenia, with his partner Rebecca Cooke giving birth to a baby boy.
According to The Mirror, Foden is set to return to Germany this evening from the United Kingdom. He is therefore expected to train with the rest of the squad on Friday and remains in contention to feature in the Euro 2024 last 16 this weekend.
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The Three Lions are set to face Slovakia at Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, with Gareth Southgate hoping that his side improve following three underwhelming performances which saw the team booed off of the pitch.
Questions have been raised about England’s starting lineup as a result, with some feeling that more direct pace on the left wing, courtesy of Anthony Gordon, could spark improvement from the overall squad.
Any change on the wing would impact Foden, though Southgate remains insistent that the playmaker will be a key player for England in this tournament and therefore it is unlikely that he will be dropped entirely - with a move into the No. 10 potentially an option.
Instead, a shakeup is anticipated in midfield, with Southgate still tinkering with his options in the hope of striking gold before England face a top-level opponent in the latter stages of the competition.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher have both been given the chance to partner Declan Rice in midfield, and it now appears that Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo will be given the opportunity to prove his worth and cap off a sensational campaign.
The 19-year-old is viewed as a ‘strong contender’ to feature in Southgate’s starting eleven, and a change may be required in defence too as makeshift left-back Kieran Trippier missed training on Thursday. The Newcastle star has been nursing a calf injury and therefore has his own personal programme.
Plenty of England’s issues at both ends of the pitch have been credited to the Three Lions not having a natural left-back available. However, Luke Shaw is now closing in on a return and has declared that he will be fit to face Slovakia in team news which will spark positivity through the England supporters who have remained in Germany.
