Gareth Southgate provides Kalvin Phillips update after Leeds United injury and discusses England competition

Gareth Southgate says Kalvin Phillips' shoulder injury played a role in a changing of plans for England.
Leeds United midfield Kalvin Phillips limps off against West Brom. Pic: GettyLeeds United midfield Kalvin Phillips limps off against West Brom. Pic: Getty
Leeds United midfield Kalvin Phillips limps off against West Brom. Pic: Getty

The Three Lions boss named a provisional 33-man squad for next month's delayed Euro 2020 tournament on Tuesday after scrapping plans to name his side outright due to a spate of injuries.

There was a spot for Phillips in Southgate's training camp but Whites top goalscorer Patrick Bamford was again omitted following his absence from March's World Cup qualifiers.

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"Kalvin Phillips was injured [in the] 93rd minute on Sunday, we'll know more about that and it's severity and possible timelines in the next few days," Southgate told the media.

"He [and injured Manchester United defender Harry Maguire] are part of the reason why we've done this [naming a provisional 33-man England squad]."

United's academy graduate and key defensive midfielder faces an anxious wait to see if he is declared fit enough to be named in England's final squad next week.

Even if Phillips is deemed available, he isn't guaranteed a spot following the reemergence of Jordan Henderson from injury.

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The Liverpool midfielder has missed the majority of the second half of the season for the Anfield club but is nearing full fitness and is expected to feature in the Three Lions warm-up matches.

Southgate has also named West Ham's Declan Rice and Southampton's James Ward-Prowse in his initial squad along with versatile former Leeds loanee Ben White and competition is fierce in the middle.

"The level of work he's been able to achieve is very high," Southgate said over Henderson's recent comeback.

"What we haven't been able to see yet is him on the pitch in the match situation. He's firmly on track to be involved and play in the games. There would be no point in bringing him if that wasn't a possibility.

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"In some regards he may be ahead of others. He's had a long period out but he's had a high training load without the matches.

"Jack Grealish has had a long period out. So we have to see how they respond to training with the group and what their recovery is like.

"Although they're heading in a good direction, it's not an ideal situation. We've got four of those [injured players] with Kalvin and potentially Harry Maguire as well.

"We're going to just have to monitor those really closely."