Gareth Southgate has confirmed Jadon Sancho is a doubt for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifier with Hungary, with the player picking up a ‘small knock’ in training.
England currently sit top of Group I with a total of nine points and Southgate’s side will hope to maintain their 100 per cent record in qualifying when they play Hungary in Budapest tomorrow.
It will be the Three Lions’ first match since the Euro 2020 final and victory would help banish the memory of July’s penalty shootout defeat to Italy, while also taking the team a giant step closer to Qatar.
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Southgate described the sense of belief within the team after the success of the Euros but said that a tough test awaits his players.
‘The team has gained confidence from what they achieved and the progress they’ve made,’ the England head coach said.
‘But equally we have to start again. The journey to having the chance of another run like that in a tournament is under way.
‘Mentally it’s a good test for us. Away from home, 60,000 fans and a very good team we’re playing against. We have got to be at our very best.’
After facing Hungary, England will return to Wembley to entertain Andorra. The Three Lions then fly out to Warsaw to take on Poland.
‘I think the two away games this week are both going to be hugely challenging,’ he added. ‘They’re good teams. They’re obviously pivotal games in terms of qualification.
‘You can’t predict what your hardest games are going to be, but we know that Hungary are a very good side and sit second in the group.’
Sancho will be desperate to play a vital role over the coming days after missing a penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat.
But, it appears Southgate could be without the player, who made his full debut for Manchester United just last weekend.
‘We’ve got a small knock with Jadon Sancho this morning, so we’re going to assess him,’ Southgate explained. ‘Everyone else is fine for the game.’
