Five England players ruled out of Bosnia-Herzegovina clash as Gareth Southgate names new captain for friendly

Bukayo Saka, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Anthony Gordon will all miss England’s friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina..

This was confirmed by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, who named Kieran Trippier as captain for Monday night’s clash.

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The match takes place at St James’ Park in Newcastle – live on talkSPORT – where Trippier made his home following his move to the Toon in January 2022.

This will likely see regular skipper Harry Kane drop to the bench to give him a much-needed rest, allowing Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney the chance to impress.

And Southgate announced that five of his provisional 33-man Euro 2024 squad, which will soon be reduced to 26 players, will play no part against Bosnia.

Manchester United defenders Maguire and Shaw – as well as Magpies winger Gordon – did not take part in England’s training on Sunday due to respective problems, with the Red Devils set to miss the Manchester United clash Friday against Iceland.

Speaking at his trio’s pre-match press conference, Southgate said: “All of them are progressing well, so we’re happy with the progress they’ve made.

“None of them will be involved tomorrow.”

He then announced that Stones and Saka, who missed Arsenal’s last Premier League match with a muscle strain, would also be absent on Monday, while emphasizing that both men were fit and uninjured.

The former Middlesbrough manager added: “It’s the same tomorrow for Bukayo and probably John Stones. Everyone else will be involved.”

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Asked why the duo wouldn’t be in action, Southgate replied: “John because he showed up a little later so hasn’t worked with us for several days.

“It is therefore best for him to follow an individual program for the next few days.

“Bukayo is doing well, he is progressing well, but the periodization we have taken of his injury is to rest tomorrow, and then he should be available for Friday.”

Southgate was then pressed to provide more information on Maguire, Shaw and Gordon, as attention turns to whether they could be involved against Iceland at Wembley – the final friendly for the England before Euro 2024.

Laughing, he says: “Not really! They are all progressing well, what can I tell you?

“I think Anthony has a good chance of being available for Friday, the other two are a bit but more unlikely.

“But we’ll see how fast they can really go.”