Maguire hands England boost for Scotland game
Harry Maguire has declared himself available for England's blockbuster match with Scotland at Euro 2020.
The Manchester United captain missed the final five games of our season after picking up an ankle injury in the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
And the ligament damage also kept him out of England's opening Euro 2020 game – a 1-0 victory over Croatia on Sunday.
But the Yorkshireman has been taking part in training over the last week as he steps up his rehabilitation programme.
Another good session in the bank 😄🏴🌞 #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/PWBxUB8kSf
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) June 15, 2021
All smiles ahead of tomorrow 😃🏴 pic.twitter.com/bZEi5E1Kd1
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) June 17, 2021
Ahead of Friday's all-Britain clash (kick-off 20:00 BST), Maguire has handed Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate a timely boost.
“I feel good,” Maguire told the media. ”I'm back available, been training and I'm looking forward to it.
“Obviously, the injury was a setback club-football-wise,” said Maguire. “Internationally, I wanted to come into this with a lot of games under my belt with full fitness.
“I've done a few sessions now and feel like my fitness is there, so I'm available for the game.”
England beat World Cup finalists Croatia with John Stones and Tyrone Mings excelling in central defence, so whether Southgate gives Maguire more time to build his sharpness before selecting him in the starting XI remains to be seen.
“I'm sure it will niggle me for a few weeks and months,” admitted Harry. “I haven't had one [an ankle-ligament injury] before, but from speaking to players and physios, I'm sure it will be niggling.
“But as long as it's stable and the pain is bearable, then I'm sure I'll be fine.”
Maguire singled out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for special praise, saying the Norwegian gave him plenty of encouragement and support to go and try to play a part in the tournament.
“I was in every day seeing the physios and the manager Ole has been great with me. He wouldn't hold me back if he thought I was fit for the first, second or third group game.
“He said: ‘Go and enjoy it, make sure it's right, obviously.’ We have been in constant contact and the club have been brilliant with me.”
WILL MAGUIRE START?
In our live Euro 2020 blog, we've asked for your predictions on whether Harry will line up against Scotland and the results so far are really interesting.
At the time of writing, 54 per cent of you believe the big man will return to the starting XI, with another 47 per cent suggesting the time isn't right just yet.
What do you think? Visit our blog and cast your vote now.
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