England football star in trouble with Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers
England football boss Gareth Southgate is looking ahead to upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches
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England boss Gareth Southgate has admitted Reece James has put his Euro 2024 place in jeapordy after choosing to drop out of upcoming qualifying matches.
The Three Lions are due to lock horns with Malta on November 17 before facing North Macedonia three days later.
Southgate named his squad for the fixtures on Thursday, with no room for Raheem Sterling.
And James was also absent, with the Chelsea star only recently returning from injury.
England boss Gareth Southgate says Reece James has put his Euro 2024 spot at risk
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The right-back, who was made skipper of his club back in the summer, has been restricted to just four Premier League appearances this season.
Southgate has now warned the 23-year-old he isn't guaranteed a spot at next summer's Euros, with England already qualified.
"I was hoping to call up Reece James but he doesn’t feel he’s quite ready," the 53-year-old revealed.
"I understand that, he’s had a long path back from a number of injuries.
"He’s probably a bit cautious in that respect, but I can understand why."
Southgate added: "There is [a lot of talent ahead of James] and that’s the risk.
"He’s only got one more squad before the Euros. So he knows that. We’ve got belief in what he can do.
"We did discuss [reporting for duty to attend team meetings] and he was very keen to make clear, 'Look I don’t want you to think I don’t want to be there.'
"We had a really good long conversation and exchange of messages after that as well.
"But I’m very understanding. His injury record, you can see the number of matches and the different phases (he has missed).
"So we are all conscious that we want to have a fit Reece that can play consecutive games.
"Physical reliability is going to be really important.
"I think we will always manage a player as well as we can but there is a reality around his training at the moment. He plays and there’s a couple of days’ recovery.
"There’s a little bit more angst from his side.
"I totally get that. We would have loved to have him with us, don’t get me wrong. But I’m perfectly calm with the conversation."
Southgate also fired another warning to England star Aaron Ramsdale.
The goalkeeper had been first-choice at Arsenal until recently, with David Raya now ahead of him in Mikel Arteta's pecking order.
Southgate stated: "We’re just going to have to see how it is.
"I had that conversation with him in the last camp.
"He’s still battling to be the No 1 at Arsenal, and his profile and the way he can use the ball with his feet, we like and think is important.
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England boss Gareth Southgate has also fired a warning to Aaron Ramsdale as Euro 2024 qualifiers loom
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"But there is a reality as a keeper, if we get to March and he’s six months without playing regularly, then I’m never going to promise things that I couldn’t guarantee delivering.
"So he knows that, he’s perfectly realistic about that."
England have won five of their six Euro 2024 qualifying matches so far.
A draw against Ukraine back in September remains the only blot on their record.
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