James Maddison will not be named in England’s final Euro 2024 squad on Saturday.
The Tottenham midfielder was widely viewed as one of the players at risk of missing out following a largely disappointing second half of the season.
And Maddison, who came on as a substitute against Bosnia on Monday night, will not be going to Germany after Gareth Southgate decided with the former Leicester man would not make his 26-man party.
It is understood Maddison was in line to play in Friday’s final warm-up fixture versus Iceland, but that will no longer be the case with Jarrod Bowen pushing to take his place in the team.
England boss Southgate has to reduce his original 33-man squad by midnight on Friday and Maddison is a high-profile omission.
Tottenham’s James Maddison has been left out of England’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024
England manager Gareth Southgate won’t be calling upon Maddison for the tournament
News of Maddison’s elimination comes after Southgate was handed good news on injury doubt Luke Shaw, who has stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury to provide England with a key fitness boost.
The Manchester United full back has not played for three months but was still selected in the extended squad.
However, there remains doubts over his availability for the tournament, given his injury problem and his long-term inactivity.
But Shaw has now taken a significant step forward in proving his fitness ahead of Southgate naming his final 26 man party for the tournament on Saturday.
Shaw has returned to training on the grass and while he isn’t yet capable of completing full training sessions with the team, his inclusion, in parts, with his teammates’ schedule provides an indicator that he is progressing well.
It seems likely that even if Shaw is deemed fit enough to make the final cut that his participation in England’s group matches will be minimal.
As well as Maddison, six further players will have to be left out of England’s final squad
Luke Shaw, who has been out with a hamstring injury, has given England a major fitness boost
Southgate already left Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson out of his plans for Euro 2024
But if Shaw is deemed fit to play a lead role in the knockout stages, then his presence would come as a huge boost for England given his position as the country’s first choice left back.
England face Iceland in their final warm-up game ahead of flying to Germany.
Harry Kane will return to the starting XI after starting Monday’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on the bench, but Ivan Toney will have an opportunity to book his place in the final squad from the bench.
Manchester City and Manchester United contingent Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Kobbie Mainoo and John Stones will be available after missing the victory at St James’ Park earlier this week.
