Watch Harry Maguire's cheeky finish in training

Monday 21 June 2021 12:00

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire showed he's eager to get going at Euro 2020, with some silky finishing during England training over the weekend.

Maguire hasn't kicked a ball in a competitive match since United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa on 9 May, missing the Reds' final five games of the season.

Despite that, he was included in Gareth Southgate's 26-man Three Lions squad and returned to training on the eve of the tournament.

And Harry looks like he wants to make up for lost time, after sitting out the games with Croatia and Scotland, judging by the video posted on England's official Twitter account on Sunday...

 

In an interview with the FA as part of the Lions' Den series, Harry said he's glad to be back working with the group and can't wait to play again.

“Yeah, it’s been tough,” Maguire said. “The rehab sessions are always tough, you need to work hard. You need to prepare yourself for the contact training. The sessions on your own aren’t the most pleasurable because a lot don’t involve a football and they involved a lot of lungs and running. So yes, it’s nice to be back with the lads in training.

“I’m feeling good. Obviously [I had] the ankle injury but it’s getting stronger and I’m getting more confident. The more sessions I do, the more games I play I’m sure I’ll get more confidence. That’s the thing with these injuries, it’s all about building the confidence. It’s all stable now and, like I say, I’m available and ready to go.”

It remains to be seen whether Maguire will be given the nod by Southgate for England's game with the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday.

The Three Lions need to win if they want to finish top of Group D and remain at the national stadium for the round of 16, as the Czechs currently boast a superior goal difference. A point will guarantee second place.

Southgate previously said Harry would 'be involved' ahead of the meeting with Scotland on Friday, although he remained on the bench throughout the goalless draw.

Although England have used four different full-backs, including Luke Shaw, so far, John Stones and Tyrone Mings have been Southgate's preferred central combination and the backline is just one of three not to have been breached at the tournament, along with Italy and Sweden.

The manager has kept his cards close to his chest regarding his team selection for the third group game, although he has confirmed skipper Harry Kane will start.

Kane has faced criticism after two quiet performances, but Southgate is backing the 2018 World Cup winner to come up with the goods.

"I know there will be a lot of questions being asked about him at the moment but he has been through that 100 times before and I have answered that in this role several times in the past and he has come up with the goals that have won us the next games and I expect that to be the same moving forward," the England boss said.

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