England head coach Gareth Southgate’s planned to give injured Trent Alexander-Arnold a key midfield audition in the games versus Brazil and Belgium despite the team’s defensive crisis.
Southgate’s options at the back, particularly at full-back, were severely limited when he named his latest squad last Thursday with Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw all unavailable through injury – as was right-back Alexander-Arnold, who also missed out with a hamstring issue.
Nevertheless, it is understood Southgate had still earmarked Alexander-Arnold for a central midfield role, a plan he has been experimenting with over the past few months.
The Anfield vice-captain has impressed in the role during England’s recent fixtures but Southgate was keen to assess the 25-year-old against top-level opposition and viewed the games versus Brazil and Belgium, who are ranked fifth and fourth respectively, as vital in his growth as a viable midfield option at Euro 2024.
There is a lack of options behind starting duo Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield, particularly with Kalvin Phillips, who was dropped from the current squad, struggling for form.
England head coach Gareth Southgate’s planned to give injured Trent Alexander-Arnold a key midfield audition in the games versus Brazil and Belgium
The Anfield vice-captain has impressed in the role during England’s recent fixtures but Southgate was keen to assess the 25-year-old against top-level opposition
A positive display from Alexander-Arnold against Brazil or Belgium would have gone a long way towards convincing Southgate the Liverpool star could play a significant role in midfield in Germany, but the injury has scuppered those plans.
Fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson is expected to report up for England duty on Tuesday despite limping off early for Ajax on Sunday.
England boss Southgate is expecting all of the players to join up at St George’s Park, although the national tea boss was anxiously waiting on news from Harry Kane’s ankle scan after his captain came off injured during Bayern Munich’s win over Darmstadt on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes will miss Saturday’s friendly at Wembley after withdrawing from the Brazil squad yesterday.
Magalhaes has been carrying a foot issue – but no confirmation of the specific issue linked to his exit has been provided.
Sources insist the injury is not serious and the reasons are precautionary, with Arsenal monitoring his fitness ahead of the crucial Premier League title clash at Manchester City on March 31. The problem is described as genuine but not ‘too bad’.
Fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson is expected to report up for England duty on Tuesday despite limping off early for Ajax on Sunday
