Gareth Southgate gives injury update on John Stones after Man City star forced off v Iceland

Gareth Southgate has given a positive injury update on John Stones after the Manchester City defender was replaced through injury against Iceland.

England lost 1-0 at Wembley in their final warm-up game ahead of Euro 2024 with Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson netting the only goal on the night. The Icelandic winger was also involved in the collision that resulted in Stones’ withdrawal.

Thorsteinsson fell on the back of the back of the 30-year-old’s leg, resulting in his half-time replacement by Ezri Konsa. With Stones the most experienced centre-back named in England’s 26-man squad there was obvious concern among fans, but Southgate eased some of that alarm post-match.

“We think he’s probably okay, but we didn’t want to take a chance with that given what’s coming up,” the Three Lions boss told Channel Four.

An injury to Stones would pose a real problem given England’s lack of experience at the heart of defence. Gomez’s 15 caps is the highest number after Stones, following the injury to his regular partner Harry Maguire.

Southgate has also selected Konsa, Lewis Dunk and Marc Guehi, while Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah were cut from the original 33-man squad, although the latter has remained with the team to provide cover in case of any last-minute injury.

As for Stones, the City star heads into the tournament off his best levels. The ex-Everton man struggled for regular game time in the final weeks of the season and played just 21 minutes in the last seven league matches of the 2023/24.

England kick off their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday 16 June with a clash against Serbia, prior to group-stage encounters with Denmark and Slovenia.