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Gareth Southgate is worried that he will have to make a late decision on Jordan Henderson’s involvement in the delayed European Championship finals, with one of his main players likely to lack high-level match clarity.
The England manager said Henderson, who had undergone groin surgery at the end of February, was facing a fitness race which would take place “near the end of the season”. He will not select anyone for the summer tournament who is not in top physical shape.
Southgate is preparing for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania in Tirana, where he expects to be without Marcus Rashford (ankle) and Bukayo Saka (hamstring). Henderson, the Liverpool captain, was injured in his club’s home loss to Everton on February 20.
“In terms of promises, we can only say that Hendo himself is very optimistic about how the operation went and the prognosis the specialist gave him as to what is possible,” Southgate said. “We realize that for any injury of this nature there is a set guide and time – but anything can happen along the way.
“We know it’s going to be close to the end of the season and we’ll just have to see how it goes. He will give himself every chance of being available. And, of course, we also know that he’ll likely be a bit short of match minutes in high-level games. There are a lot of things to consider, but at the moment it is a decision that is in a few weeks.
Southgate is hopeful that the pitch at the Albanian National Stadium will be in good shape despite recent concerns about it. The Air Albania stadium was opened a year ago, but there have been issues with the grass, partly caused by the shade of a stand.
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“We know there has been a lot of work on the ground,” Southgate said. “It’s a new stadium and we don’t know more. Albania has worked very hard to put it back in the best possible conditions. “
Southgate has said Nick Pope will start against Albania and in Wednesday’s home game with Poland. The goalkeeper, who played in Wembley’s 5-0 win over San Marino on Thursday, has an extended opportunity due to an injury to Jordan Pickford. Dean Henderson and Sam Johnstone are the team’s other goalkeepers.
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