England and Scotland are poised to receive a significant lift for Euro 2024, as UEFA is on the verge of approving an expansion to the tournament’s squad rules.
The anticipated decision will allow national teams to name squads comprising 26 players, an increase from the customary 23, as reported by Sky Sports.
For England, already grappling with injury woes, this development offers a substantial advantage. Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions’ manager, recently faced an unprecedented injury crisis during friendlies against Belgium and Brazil, leaving several key players sidelined.
Southgate had previously voiced his support for enlarging the squad size, aligning with other managers’ demands. This change seems imminent with UEFA’s impending approval.
While previous tournaments, like the 2021 Euro and the Qatar World Cup, temporarily expanded squads due to special circumstances, this alteration might endure, especially considering the ongoing injury concerns worldwide.
England’s current injury list includes Reece James, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill, Luke Shaw, Kieran Trippier, and potential fitness doubts over John Stones, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Maguire.
Similarly, Scotland’s preparations have been hampered by injuries to Nathan Patterson, Lewis Ferguson, and Stuart Armstrong. Manager Steve Clarke will monitor the fitness of Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney, and Scott McTominay closely.
Southgate plans to announce an initial ‘training squad’ before finalizing the roster. He emphasized the need for clarity and defined roles for the players during the tournament.
The Euro 2024 journey begins for England against Serbia on June 16, while Scotland faces hosts Germany two days earlier on June 14.
Credit: TalkSport
