Anthony Gordon ‘OK’ after injuring chin and hands falling off bike at Euro 2024

Anthony Gordon has been left with cuts to his chin and hands after a bike-riding accident on Wednesday – during the England squad’s recovery day – but it has mainly been his pride that was damaged. Gordon’s teammate Marc Guéhi told reporters the mishap had become a little bit of a joke in camp but the Newcastle winger was essentially fine.

“He fell off his bike,” Guéhi said. “The boys went out on a bike ride. I actually wasn’t there. I heard about it. I was actually talking to Anthony and I wasn’t really paying attention … turned around and then I saw the massive gash on his chin but he’s OK. He’s good.”

There was a bit of a surprise at England’s Blankenhain training base on Thursday morning with Kieran Trippier and Declan Rice not among the main training group. Instead, they followed individual programmes. Load management is key to Gareth Southgate’s thinking over what he hopes will be a prolonged stay in Germany and Trippier is known to have carried a minor calf problem. It did not stop him from starting against Slovenia on Tuesday, although he was substituted in the 84th minute. Rice has not missed a minute of action here; his appearance against Slovenia was his 123th for club and country over the past two seasons. There is no injury issue with Rice and he is expected to start Sunday’s last-16 game against Slovakia.

Phil Foden remains in England, where he has returned to be with his partner for the birth of their third child. The Football Association does not expect him back on Thursday, as things stand, but he is expected to rejoin training before Sunday’s match.