GARETH SOUTHGATE admits Harry Maguire faces a race against time to be fit for England’s opening game of the European Championships – and has admitted that both the Manchester United defender and Jordan Henderson will head into the tournament carrying injuries that could restrict their involvement.

Southgate included Maguire and Henderson in the final 26-man squad for the Euros that was announced this evening, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold also making the cut as one of four right-backs.

Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Ben Godfrey missed out as expected, with Southgate also omitting James Ward-Prowse, Jesse Lingard and Ollie Watkins as well as the injured Mason Greenwood.

The six fit excluded players remain on a standby list with Southgate able to name a replacement for anyone picking up a new injury ahead of the opening game, with Lingard set to start tomorrow’s warm-up game with Austria at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

Maguire will not feature on Teesside, and having sustained an ankle ligament injury that kept him out of Manchester United’s appearance in the final of the Europa League, the centre-half remains a major doubt for England’s Group D opener against Croatia on June 13.

“It’s going to be tight for the first game, there’s no question,” said Southgate. “But we know exactly where he’s at. Our medical team have been with him over in Manchester – he’s not travelled to join us yet because of the quarantine issues coming over from Poland.

“He’s got a bit to do – and it’s the same with Hendo. They’ve both got a bit to do really, to be available, but we feel that the possibility that they can play a part, and the fact that they’re such great characters to have around the group (justifies their inclusion). Hendo’s leadership and presence is already having an effect on other people, especially the younger ones in the group, but all of the others as well.

“Given we were able to select 26, we felt the opportunity to be able to have those two with us was a straightforward one really.”

Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion was something of a surprise, although Southgate insists he told the Liverpool defender he was going to be in the squad three weeks ago and is therefore perplexed as to why so many stories emerged in the last few weeks suggesting his place was at risk.

Even with the increase to 26 players, the inclusion of four right-backs in the squad is somewhat surprising – Alexander-Arnold is joined by Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James – but Southgate claims it would be wrong to pigeon-hole the quartet exclusively as right-backs.

“Yes, we have four players that sometimes play at right-back for their clubs,” said the England boss. “But Kieran has been playing at wing-back as well as right-back, Reece has played on the right of a three or at right wing-back, Trent plays at right-back and Kyle has played at centre-half for us in a three and has also played at left-back in a match for us against Denmark.

“Reece played in midfield against Aston Villa. Basically, they’re in our best 26 footballers and that’s why they’re in the squad.”

Southgate told Lingard, Ward-Prowse and Watkins they would not be making the cut on Monday, but while the trio were all offered the opportunity to leave England’s training base at Rockliffe Park, they opted to remain and make themselves available for the two warm-up games.

“I spoke to the three more senior players to explain what was happening,” said Southgate. “Of course, that’s always difficult, you know what a big thing it is for a player to go to a major tournament.

“Those three boys have been valuable members of our squad. I gave them all the option to go home, but they value being with England and they want to be part of the squad. They know they’ve got two games they’ll be involved, and if we pick up injuries, those players are the ones who are on standby.”

Southgate’s managerial career began at Middlesbrough, and the England boss is looking forward to returning to the Riverside tomorrow.

“The FA wanted to take the team to the North-East,” he said. “When we were coming to North-East, I knew the training facilities here (at Rockliffe) next to the hotel would be a fabulous environment. It’s been very relaxed for the boys – we only have to walk across the field to the training ground.

“I remember playing here in 2003 against Slovakia,” he said. “And everyone was hugely proud to host the England team. You can see the excitement around the area already, and of course I’m delighted to be able to bring the team here.”