England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer is still in contention for the upcoming friendly against Belgium. Despite missing England's recent defeat to Brazil, Palmer could potentially earn his third senior cap when Belgium visits Wembley on Tuesday.
Palmer trained with the squad this week but was notably absent from England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley on Saturday night. He was not included in the matchday squad, sparking questions about his status and availability for future games.
However, Southgate insists that Palmer has not been ruled out of the squad entirely. The young Chelsea midfielder could still play a part in Tuesday's friendly against Belgium, potentially earning his third senior cap.
Jordan Henderson also set to return for Belgium clash
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson also missed out on the game against Brazil but is expected to feature in Tuesday’s match. His return will be a welcome boost for England as they look to bounce back from their defeat.
England manager, Gareth Southgate, said:
‘The two boys trained today, so they’ve come through that okay. So they should join the group that will train tomorrow [Sunday], so we’ll go from there with that.
‘Tuesday, Belgium have played a different eleven, or close to, so they’re going to be a bit fresher. But similar to tonight, we’re talking about a high-level game, brilliant experience for the players, a chance to see new players again, build towards the summer.’
Player availability plays a crucial role in any team's success and having key players like Palmer and Henderson back will undoubtedly strengthen England's lineup. Their potential return comes at an opportune time as England prepares for another challenging fixture against Belgium.
Stay tuned as we continue providing updates about the England squad and their preparations for upcoming matches. Whether you're a sports fan or a sports betting enthusiast, this is one match you won't want to miss!
