Phil Foden: Manchester City midfielder sits out of England training with minor knock ahead of Euro 2020 final

ByEurosport

Published 10/07/2021 at 11:38 GMT

Phil Foden was forced to sit out of England training after picking up a minor knock. Foden has not started for England since the group stages at Euro 2020 and now faces a race against time to be in line to play for the Three Lions when they play in their first major tournament final in 55 years.

Southgate admits England penalty was 'soft'

Phil Foden did not take part in England training on Saturday morning as a precaution having picked up a minor knock.

The other 25 players in Gareth Southgate's squad trained as normal at St George's Park ahead of England's Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening.

Foden, 21, started in England's group games against Croatia and Scotland and was an extra-time substitute in England's semi-final victory against Denmark. However, he did not feature against Germany and Ukraine.

Euro 2020

'Ticketless, drunken thugs' could have caused death at Euro 2020 final - review

03/12/2021 at 11:08

The Manchester City midfielder will be hoping to feature in the Euro 2020 on Sunday, but his slight knock raises doubts over whether he will be fit enough to start England's most significant match since the World Cup final in 1966.

Foden told his teammates they must keep their promise to dye their hair if England win the Euros.

"I’ve told them but I’m feeling they are not going to do it," he said.

We’ve still got a tough final to win. If we win I’d like to think they’d stick to their word but we’ll see."

He added: "There are going to be so many emotions with the fans [during the final]. The players have to stay focused and treat it like the first game of the tournament.

"Don’t change anything because we’ve been brilliant in every game. Hopefully we can get it over the line."