England players have reported for training for the first as Gareth Southgate‘s provisional 33-man squad gathers ahead of the upcoming European Championship.
Three Lions stars looked delighted as they walked through the doors of Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall as they came together for the first time since the end of the season.
England usually train at the national training centre St George’s Park but are believed to be in Darlington as it is closer to St James’ Park where they play their first of two pre-tournament friendlies next week.
Captain Harry Kane led the arrivals on Wednesday as the Bayern Munich star returned to England following the conclusion of the Bundesliga campaign, but will soon be back in Germany where Euro 2024 is being hosted.
England’s star striker was seen interacting with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as the pair were reunited for the first time since the last set of international friendlies at the start of the year.
England players have reported for training for duty ahead of this summer’s Euro 2024
Cole Palmer (left) and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi (right) shake hands as they arrive at Rockliffe Hall
Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze cut a casual look as he interacted with Guehi
Kieran Trippier alleviated injury fears as the Newcastle defender walked unaided in Darlington
Chelsea star Cole Palmer cut a serious look as he arrived dressed in a causal black hoodie and luxury Louis Vuitton rucksack
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Meanwhile it was a completely new experience for several players who have been included in Southgate’s squad for the first time, with the England boss set to cut his final selection down to just 26 stars.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton were amongst those getting their first experience of a senior England experience.
Jones had a smile etched across his face as he walked up the steps at the luxury Darlington manor, with Trafford engaging with
first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The trio are expected to be given their senior debuts when England take on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in upcoming friendlies next week.
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold was another high-profile player present on Wednesday as he dashed back from attending the weekend’s Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco.
Southgate wasn’t around to greet his players as he usually does when they report for duty at the usual St George’s Park training campus, but will be delighted to see there was no evidence of club rivalries on show.
The England boss was however pictured as he conducted media duties at the training facility.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was one player who has enjoyed a mini-break since the end of the Premier League season that saw the Gunners miss out on the top-flight title to Man City on the final day.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice (right) was greeted by England and Man United defender Magure (left)
Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze (right) poses with Tottenham star James Maddison (left)
Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon steps out of a high-end Audi as he is welcomed at Rockliffe Hall
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins (left) poses at the training facility, while Curtis Jones (right) reports for his first senior call-up
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez (left) greets Crystal Palace centre-back Guehi (right)
England manager Gareth Southgate (right)) wasn’t present to greet players as he conducted media duties alongside presenter Josh Denzel (left)
Maguire was unable to feature in Man United’s weekend FA Cup triumph but is available for England
Trent Alexander-Arnold jetted back from attending the Formula One Monaco GP on Sunday
The 25-year-old is one of the most popular members of the national team dressing room and was joined by Gunners team-mate Bukayo Saka who was also present on the first day of England training.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer cut a serious look as he arrived dressed in a causal black hoodie and luxury Louis Vuitton rucksack.
The Blues forward finished second in the Premier League goalscoring charts during his debut season at Stamford Bridge, behind only Erling Haaland and is expected to challenge for a starting spot in Southgate’s squad.
Crystal Palace players represent the largest proportion of England stars in the initial squad with four Selhurst Park figures picked by Southgate ahead of the upcoming friendlies.
Defender Marc Guehi is amongst those and posed for pictures alongside a host of his England colleagues including Palace team-mate Eberechi Eze, West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen and Spurs talisman James Maddison.
West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen arrived kitted out in his England training gear
Jordan Pickford (left) wears a decorated England rucksack as he greets Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford (right)
United full-back Luke Shaw is present at the England camp as he battles to be fit in time
Brentford striker Ivan Toney smiles as he stands in an elevator at Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins arrived already dressed in his England training gear and will be keen to get out on the pitch as he prepares to challenge Brentford goalscorer Ivan Toney for a place in Southgate’s final selection.
Anthony Gordon is another player who is likely to have his ticket to Germany at risk, but looked supremely confident as he stepped out of a high-end Audi and was welcomed by England staff.
Meanwhile, Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw was in attendance as he battles to be fit from a long-term injury.
However, star midfielder Jude Bellingham won’t be arriving until late next week as he is busy preparing for Real Madrid’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday.
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