Mark Ogden believes Gareth Southgate may have to sacrifice Jude Bellingham in his starting 11 in order to help England gel. (1:43)
Phil Foden is in contention to play in England’s Euro 2024 round-of-16 clash against Slovakia on Sunday by returning to training on Friday, a source has told ESPN.
Foden returned to England on Wednesday to attend the birth of his third child having played in the 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Cologne, which secured top spot in Group C for Gareth Southgate’s team.
The Manchester City forward was given permission by Southgate to fly home and a source has said that the 24-year-old is due to be back among the squad in time for training at England’s Euro 2024 base in Blakenhain, Germany, on Friday morning.
Foden has started all three of England’s games so far in the tournament, but coach Southgate has come under pressure to make changes for the Slovakia clash following an unconvincing group stage that saw the beaten Euro 2020 finalists win one and draw two of their games.
Southgate has so far resisted calls for drop either Foden or Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
England face Slovakia, who finished third in Group E, in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday with a quarterfinal against either Italy or Switzerland in Dusseldorf awaiting the winners.