England vs Germany team news: German duo miss training and Southgate drops Mason Mount hint

Antonio Rudiger and Ilkay Gundogan are doubts for the last 16 game at Wembley
Antonio Rüdiger (centre) and Ilkay Gündogan (right) have missed a training session ahead of England vs Germany.Antonio Rüdiger (centre) and Ilkay Gündogan (right) have missed a training session ahead of England vs Germany.
Antonio Rüdiger (centre) and Ilkay Gündogan (right) have missed a training session ahead of England vs Germany.

Premier League stars Antonio Rudiger and Ilkay Gundogan have missed training ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2020 last 16 clash against England.

The Germany duo sat out of the warm-up session for Joachim Low’s side as they prepare to take on the Three Lions.

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German outlet Sport1 have reported that Gundogan and Rudiger missed training on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate and Joachim Low go head to head at Wembley.Gareth Southgate and Joachim Low go head to head at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate and Joachim Low go head to head at Wembley.

The two men are both key players, and played in all three of Germany’s Group F games at the European Championships.

Manchester City midfielder has a bruised skull, while Chelsea centre-half Rudiger is suffering from a cold.

Both players are still expected to travel for Tuesday’s game at Wembley, but Gundogan faces a fight for his place with xxxx to partner Toni Kroos in central midfield.

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Gareth Southgate’s England side have two doubts of their own, with Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell still yet to return to training after being forced to self-isolate after they came into contact with Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for COVID-19 last Monday.

Mason Mount trains in isolation away from the main team group during the England session at St George's Park.Mason Mount trains in isolation away from the main team group during the England session at St George's Park.
Mason Mount trains in isolation away from the main team group during the England session at St George's Park.

Their isolation period ends on Monday but Southgate had hoped that they could return to training with the squad before then.

Chilwell is unlikely to feature against Germany, having been omitted from the 23-man squad for the first group game against Croatia and then being an unused substitute against Scotland. However, Mount is a key player in the midfield for Southgate and started both the group games he was available for, and the England head coach could gamble on the player having kept both players updated via Zoom on team meetings.

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Asked if he can realistically consider them for Tuesday, Southgate told ITV: “Well, that’s what we’ve got to take into account, really.

“There’s not only the training part of that but the psychological part of that as well, of course. They’ve had to spend a lot of time in a room on their own, so very difficult situation firstly for the two boys.

“You come to a major tournament, you want to be a part of everything and they’ve had to isolate through this period, which is of course difficult for anybody. And for us we’ve just got to make that decision as we progress.

“I mean, as we get closer to the game they come out of the full quarantine midnight the night before the game, so we’ll be able to talk to them a little bit more than we are at the moment.

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“I’m having to redo the meetings that I have with the rest of the team over a Zoom call with them, so although I can speak with them once they’ve been on to the training pitch to do their session, it’s just getting across all of that feeling that they have.”

If Mount doesn’t start, then Southgate must decide who to pair in midfield alongside Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice. Jordan Henderson would come into contention, but that would be seen as a negative move. Other options include Phil Foden playing centrally or Jack Grealish as a No10.

Foden is believed to be winning the race to start on the right side of England’s attack ahead of Bakayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

Saka, meanwhile, could be used as a left wing-back if Southgate opts to change his formation.