Gareth Southgate expresses optimism regarding Chelsea right-back Reece James’ chances to regain fitness ahead of Euro 2024.
Despite James being sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury against Everton in December and undergoing surgery, Southgate refrains from ruling him out of contention. James is currently in the recovery phase but has yet to resume training with Chelsea.
The 24-year-old faces a race against time to prove his fitness and secure his place in the England squad for the tournament in Germany in June.
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Southgate remains hopeful about James’ potential contribution despite his absence from competitive action. When asked about James’ Euro 2024 prospects, Southgate stated, “No, we don’t have an exact date for him coming back but we would hope he would have some games before the Euros.”
Acknowledging James’ capability as a top-level player, Southgate emphasizes the importance of his return to training and building physical resilience as quickly as possible.
James’ surgeon, Dr. Lasse Lempainen, has assured that he will regain fitness before the European championship. However, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been cautious in providing a timeline for his return.
As England prepares for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Southgate faces crucial decisions in finalizing his squad for Euro 2024. All eyes will be on him as he determines the best course of action regarding James’ inclusion in the squad.