Skip to content

European Qualifiers: England wait on fitness of Gary Cahill ahead of Switzerland trip

Gary Cahill of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Peru at Wembley Stadium on May 30,
Image: Gary Cahill: Sat out England training on Friday

England centre-back Gary Cahill sat out Friday's training session and remains an injury concern ahead of Monday's European Qualifier in Switzerland.

The Chelsea player, 28, limped off late on in England's tepid 1-0 win over Norway at Wembley on Wednesday night with an ankle problem - but manager Roy Hodgson is confident the injury will not keep him out of the Group E opener in Basel.

England manager Roy Hodgson gives out instructions during a training session at St George's Park, Burton Upon Trent
Image: Hodgson: Instructs his players

Although Cahill was unable to take part in Friday's session at St George's Park, he is expected to return to training on Saturday and take his place at the heart of England's defence when they face what, on paper at least, looks their sternest test of the campaign.

Euro 2016 Qualifiers

Should Cahill fail to regain fitness in time, it is likely that Hodgson would opt to call on the experience of Everton captain Phil Jagielka paired with Manchester United utility man Phil Jones.

With West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster and uncapped Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback already pulling out through injury, only 19 of Hodgson's 20-man squad took part in Friday's workout.

As a result, several of England's U20 squad made up the numbers in the session, with Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed, Barnsley's Paul Digby and Exeter goalkeeper Christy Pym all joining in ahead of their clash with Romania in Telford later in the day.

More from Switzerland V England

Watch highlights of England's opening European Qualifier away to Switzerland on Sky Sports 5 HD at 10pm on Monday night.

Around Sky