Wayne Rooney thinks Gareth Southgate is worried over Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson’s injuries as the Euro’s draws nearer.
The England legend believes the two veteran players cast the biggest worries to the Three Lions coach. Both players expect to feature in England’s squad for the Euros, but they have to shed off their injury concern first.
According to the former England Captain, Southgate knows his squad already and wishes to include the two. He claims the injuries are the coach’s biggest worries.
“Gareth named a provisional squad of 33. But I am sure he already knows the 26 that he wants to take to the Euros. Wednesday [a friendly against Austria] is just about keeping players ticking over,” Rooney wrote.
“Injuries are already Gareth’s biggest worry. England has a good chance and will be very hard for any team to beat if they reach the last four, with the semi-finals and final at Wembley. But to succeed I think Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson have to be fit,” he added.
“The ankle problem that kept Harry out of the Europa League final makes him a doubt. And Jordan has not played since February because of a groin issue. But those two plus Harry Kane are the spine of England’s team,” Rooney explained.
The former Manchester United Skipper feels both players have experience and possess the leadership England needs.
“Gareth needs them on the pitch. Those players being there allows Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, and Marcus Rashford to go and express themselves,” the Manchester United legend said.
He concluded, “And every side has those leaders, those rocks, whom the rest depend on in a crisis. In the case of England, if the going gets tough in a game, Jordan and the two Harrys are the ones all the other players will look to.”