Phil Foden is BACK in England training ahead of Italy clash after the Manchester City star missed the first two Nations League games with Covid… but Kalvin Phillips misses out on full session after picking up a knock
- Manchester City star Phil Foden returns to England training ahead of Italy clash
- Foden was absent from the games against Hungary and Germany due to COVID
- Kalvin Phillips, meanwhile, is missing from the training camp through injury
- Phillips was forced off in the first half against Germany after an injury-hit season
- James Ward-Prowse will attend a press conference with Gareth Southgate today
Manchester City star Phil Foden has returned to England training ahead of their Nations League clash with Italy, having missed the first two games through COVID.
Foden was one of 24 Three Lions players at today’s training session, but Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips is still forced to train indoors, according to England.
The midfielder was forced off the field in the first half of England’s 1-1 away draw with Germany on Tuesday with a suspected dead leg, having suffered an injury-ravaged season.
Phil Foden (left) returned to England training and will hope for a start against Italy on Saturday
England have a chance to get revenge over Italy at the first point of asking, following their heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat to the Azzurri at Wembley in the final of last summer’s delayed Euro 2020.
Italy lead England’s Nations League A2 group, having won once and drawn their other match so far in the campaign, whilst England languish in fourth place after a draw in Germany and a disappointing loss in Budapest.
Foden, who has recently been voted PFA Young Player of the Season for the second consecutive season, rejoins the Three Lions having last featured in England’s friendly win over Ivory Coast in March.
Kalvin Phillips was absent from training, giving Gareth Southgate a minor midfield headache
Kieran Trippier deputised at left-back but James Ward-Prowse could make a rare England start
Foden has two goals in his 15 appearances for England, and was part of Southgate’s first XI that beat Croatia 1-0 at Wembley last summer.
With Phillips set to miss out through injury, the Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse could be in line for his first start since June 6 2021, after an impressive season for the Saints.
Another player who is looking likely to start for Southgate’s side is Tammy Abraham, after the Three Lions manager announced captain Harry Kane would be rested.
Abraham has had a breakout season for Roma in Serie A after leaving Chelsea last summer for £36million, scoring 27 and assisting five in 53 games for his side this season.
Tammy Abraham will start for the first time since thrashing San Marino 10-0 on November 15
The 24-year-old will be looking to stake his claim to that No 2 role behind Harry Kane as England’s main striker, after Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins seem to have slipped down the England pecking order.
Southgate may make further changes to his starting XI against Germany after the Three Lions salvaged a late point after Harry Kane’s 88th-minute penalty but looked disjointed in both defence and attack.
After replacing a disappointing Mason Mount, the impressive Jack Grealish put his name in the hat for a rare start for his country as well, showcasing his attacking mindset.
Jack Grealish had an impressive cameo in Germany while Jude Bellingham replaced Phillips
