England's Euro 2024 squad: The concerns and possible surprises ahead of Gareth Southgate's provisional squad announcement

With injury doubts over some key players, an FA Cup final, European Cup final featuring Jude Bellingham and Jaden Sancho, and some pointless post-season friendlies to come, we know the squad will be bigger than the 26 who eventually head to Germany, just not by how much.

We look at some of the concerns causing Southgate headaches, and some potential surprises.

CONCERNS

Harry Kane's back

A back injury means the England captain has not played for Bayern Munich since his controversial late substitution in the European Cup semi-final.

There is no question one of the world's best centre-forwards will be in the squad but it could affect who takes some of the more borderline places. How many risks is too many?

John Stones' rustiness

Not an injury concern as the man from Barnsley has been a regular in Manchester City's matchday squads lately, but he has played just 254 minutes of football (plus added time) since his injury in England's March friendly against Belgium.

His freshness could be a help and he will be on the plane, but Southgate will have to bear this in mind when choosing his centre-backs.

Ivan Toney's form

Toney came back from his betting ban with four goals in five games from mid-January to mid-February but there has only been one since, his penalty against Belgium.

Given his deadliness from 12 yards, his all-round skill and the fact he offers a different type of centre-forward to Kane, Oli Watkins and co, it would be great to have him – but can this pale shadow cut it?

Harry Maguire's calf

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says "I think it's a fair chance that he will be available" for the FA Cup final but having not played since April 27 with a muscle injury, will he play?

We have been here before with the Sheffielder, before the last European Championship, but is he so indispensable now and does Stones' rustiness make it riskier? Lewis Dunk was all at sea in March’s internationals but after three months out with a knee injury, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi finished the season with two substitute cameos and 76 minutes on the final day.

Luke Shaw's thigh

England's first-choice left-back suffered a setback in his recovery from the thigh injury that has kept him out since February 18 in a season of just 15 appearances. Ben Chilwell (24 appearances this term) has not figured since the FA Cup semi-final and Kieran Trippier has only made one start since March 2.

Marcus Rashford's form

The forward was excellent at the last World Cup but has been badly out of sorts this season. His experience and ability to play centre-forward could be useful but with so many good alternatives, his place even in the squad is under threat.

Newcastle v Tottenham

A pointless post-season friendly in Australia on Wednesday which could feature Trippier, Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson and James Maddison. Newcastle also play an A-League All-Star XI on Friday. Pray those metatarsals do not snap.

European Cup final

Sancho looks to be well out of Southgate's plans but what if the Manchester United winger on loan at Borussia Dortmund were to be man of the match against Real Madrid a week on Saturday? One of the nicer headaches.

LATE CALLS?

Adam Wharton

The midfielder has been outstanding since joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers and with Jordan Henderson declining and Kalvin Phillips' form and confidence shot, he could make the expanded squad and take it from there. Name-checked by Southgate in the last international break, Leeds United's Archie Gray could be a long shot.

Eric Dier

With concerns over Harry Maguire, Dunk's March struggles, Southgate seemingly not sold on Fikayo Tomori and Ben White's disinterest, a spot is up for grabs. Jarrad Branthwaite has had an outstanding Everton season but was not given an international debut in March, so could the form of Bayern Munich loanee Dier – a centre-back capable of holding midfield – push him in?

Eberechi Eze

Injury stopped the Crystal Palace winger building on his second cap, against Scotland in September, but he is fit and flying now.

Bukayo Saka's injury

Saka is one of the world's best right wingers, so it might sound daft to try to spin the muscle injury which kept him out of Arsenal's final game of the Premier League season as positive but if it heals in a few weeks it could open a slot in the three-quarter line behind the striker for the versatile Cole Palmer to push his case and start a real battle for places with Saka, Bellingham and Phil Foden.

Ross Barkley

Thirty-three England caps but none for nearly five years, could his form in Luton Town's midfield get him into the provisional squad?