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Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 17, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

Wembley Stadium

England

2 - 0

Malta

Pepe (8' og.), Kane (75')
Tomori (26'), Kane (28')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Mbong (23'), Guillaumier (39')

Gareth Southgate plays down Marcus Rashford injury concerns

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 5d

England manager Gareth Southgate plays down claims that Marcus Rashford could be set for a spell on the sidelines with the issue that forced him off against Malta.

England boss Gareth Southgate has played down suggestions that Marcus Rashford could be set for a spell on the sidelines due to the issue that forced him off the field against Malta on Friday night.

The Manchester United attacker was withdrawn in the 61st minute of his side's 2-0 win at Wembley, shortly after he collided with his own teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold.

There had been claims that the 26-year-old would need a period of recovery, but Southgate does not believe that the forward picked up a potentially serious problem on Friday.

"I think he [Rashford] is probably okay. We just thought given the nature of the collision it was a chance to get Cole [Palmer] into the game. I haven't assessed too much but I think he was okay when he came off," Southgate told reporters after the two-goal success over Malta.

"It was a game where we didn't start well and I have been in football for a long time and know that if you don't start well then it's hard to pick the game up. We got a goal out of nothing really but the quality on the ball is not normally at that level.

England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden on November 17, 2023 © Reuters

"It was one of those days where the players knew they could win the game at a canter and we didn't really extend ourselves as much as we normally would. They are playing so many matches and have done such a brilliant job, so I am not going to hammer them for that.

"We know we should have been better than we were but it was one of those days where we didn't really get going. The changes [in the second half] brought more quality as well so in the second half we could have scored more."

England were comfortable winners over Malta, and the Three Lions need just a point from their last Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia on Monday to be certain of a spot in Pot 1 for the finals draw.

Man United will also seemingly be breathing a sigh of relief, with Rashford expected to be available for their next match, which comes against Everton after the international break.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford on September 30, 2023 © Reuters

Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen both picked up injuries during the 1-0 win over Luton Town last weekend, with the latter out for a month, while the former is a major doubt for the clash with Everton.

The Red Devils also currently have Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Amad Diallo on the sidelines.

Jadon Sancho is still not involved with the first team due to his falling-out with head coach Erik ten Hag, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka should be available against Everton, having missed out in the clash with Luton through illness.

The 20-time English champions will also need to assess goalkeeper Andre Onana after he was forced off the field during Cameroon's 3-0 win over Mauritius on Friday.

Onana was uncomfortable when he departed the field in the 80th minute of the contest, and it remains to be seen whether he is cleared to take part in his country's next game against Libya on Tuesday.