GARETH SOUTHGATE has no intention of switching to a back three for the Euros despite major question marks hanging over a number of his defensive options.

Harry Maguire faces a race against time to be fit for England’s opening game of the tournament against Serbia, with a muscular injury meaning he is not expected to feature in either of this week’s warm-up matches against Bosnia and Iceland.

Luke Shaw is in a similar position, having been sidelined by a muscular problem since mid-February, while John Stones is also expected to be absent from tonight’s warm-up game at St James’ Park.

With so many problems to contend with, it has been suggested that Southgate could look to switch formations in order to give his side additional defensive security during this summer’s tournament in Germany.

The England boss feels a degree of tactical flexibility is always important, but while he has lined up with three centre-halves and wing-backs in the past, he currently has no intention of adopting a similar approach at the Euros.

“We haven’t considered that (a switch to a back three),” said Southgate. “Clearly, we could. We know all the strengths and weaknesses of doing that. It’s interesting to read it being proposed because I think we were pretty much killed for doing it for quite a long period.

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“Given our tactical flexibility, we will look at everything. We would be similar to ever rule anything out because you can play a three in different ways. Atalanta have just won the Europa League doing that.

“But it’s not been a focus. A lot of teams build with a three now anyway, so it’s not to say that some aspects of our game might not have a three involved. But for the time being, for me it’s less about shoehorning players into the team, it’s about having the best team, and then also players to come into the team because we’re going to need that and we’re going to need a depth to the squad.”