England put great emphasis on defence but key players and potential call-ups are either out of form or injured
At this rate Gareth Southgate is going to have to bow to public pressure and stuff his team with attackers when England face Iran in their opening game at the World Cup next month.
The defensive concerns are mounting for England’s manager. If the possibility of John Stones returning from the hamstring injury that forced him off against Germany last month is a positive, then it is counteracted by Harry Maguire’s exile from Manchester United’s starting XI and Kyle Walker undergoing groin surgery last week. Even someone with Walker’s recovery speed will find it hard to win the race to be fit for Qatar and, given there is no guarantee Stones will not break down again, it means there are doubts over every member of Southgate’s ideal back three.
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