John Stones will miss opening two games of England’s U21 European Championship campaign due to concussion

John Stones will miss the opening two games of Euro 2015
The England U21 defender suffered concussion during a training session
Gareth Southgate’s side face Portugal in their first game

Published:
13:56 GMT, 17 June 2015

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Updated:
20:57 GMT, 17 June 2015

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England’s preparations for Euro 2015 have suffered a late blow with John Stones ruled out of the opening two games with concussion.

The Everton defender — one of the star names in the Under-21 squad — was badly dazed during a behind-closed-doors training session on Tuesday when he collided with goalkeeper Jack Butland during set-piece practice. Stones became nauseous when he returned to the team hotel.

FA guidelines call for a mandatory six-day lay-off for any player who suffers concussion and though Stones has shown signs of recovery over the past 24 hours, he cannot play in the opening Group B fixture against Portugal or in Sunday’s match with Sweden.

John Stones will miss England’s opening two games at Euro 2015 after suffering concussion

The Everton defender shares a joke with Nathan Reedmond (left) before his training ground injury

England U21 head coach Southgate looks on keenly during Wednesday’s training session in Olomouc

Roberto Martinez, Stones’s club manager, was told immediately that Stones had been hurt. Martinez has an good relationship with Under-21 coach Gareth Southgate and is happy about the care Stones is receiving with England so the player will not be sent home.

‘You have to be prepared for setbacks and dealing with unexpected events and this is one of those,’ said Southgate. ‘It’s happened to a few teams. A couple of others have lost players already.

‘We have to follow the new guidelines on suspected concussion and it is quite a clear procedure that will take him to the day after the second game. There is just nothing we can do about that. We (the FA) are charged with setting the standards and we must follow those.

‘What is good is that throughout qualifying we have always used this squad and we have been forced to make changes. It means we can trust everybody who goes in and everybody is ready to play.’

The 21-year-old (middle) was assessed and will miss the opening two games of Euro 2015

Stones (left) pictured in action during England Under 21’s 1-0 victory over Belarus last Thursday

Stones would have led the defence this evening in Uherske Hradiste but it means Southgate will now turn to Ben Gibson, who impressed in the warm-up win over Belarus seven days ago. He had already made the decision to select Leicester’s Liam Moore rather than Arsenal’s Calum Chambers.

Though the setback should not be underplayed, this is the first that Southgate has had to contend with in the build-up and he is not the sort to let his emotions bubble over.

The situation is a stark contrast to what happened two years ago when. Back then, the days before the opening clash with Italy were consumed by speculation over coach Stuart Pearce’s future, the fitness of the disruptive Wilfried Zaha and bickering over the strength of the squad England had taken to Israel.

Results had been excellent in the build-up but when England fell behind to Lorenzo Insigne’s free-kick against Italy in Tel Aviv, Pearce’s side crumbled. The man who was in goal for England that night remembers it only too well.

‘It has been my motivation ever since,’ said Butland, England’s captain. ‘It hurt. It really hurt. In professional football you lose and you learn to deal with it. I can’t put my finger on why but we didn’t achieve or fulfil our potential.

‘But that was then and now we have to get behind this squad. We are fully confident in the ability and mentality everyone has. I have no doubt we will reach our potential.’

In the build-up to Thursday’s match Jack Butland has said it is a real honour to be captaining England

Tottenham striker Harry Kane juggles with the ball ahead of England’s opener against Portugal

Liverpool’s latest addition Danny Ings (centre) will be eager to impress in the Czech Republic

Butland is only 22 but he speaks with a maturity and assurance that belie his age. He is the group’s natural leader and sets the tone around the camp.

‘I try to lead by example and be someone that the lads can listen to,’ said Butland, who cites Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon as the goalkeeper-captains to whom he looks up. ‘I don’t give words of wisdom, just comfort and advice — helping people out.

‘I don’t consider this my team. I’m part of a team but one of the leaders. They don’t need motivating because they are on it. They are clever and most importantly they really want to win this thing.’

The words are delivered with purpose. Southgate’s players believe England’s chances are outstanding, and with the impressive Harry Kane leading the attack they may well be right. But they also know how difficult the job will be.

Take Saturday opponents. Portugal, with the gifted Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva orchestrating attacks and Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho providing midfield power, boast eight senior internationals in their ranks.

The 3-1 defeat they suffered at Turf Moor in November will have no bearing on this contest.

‘It’s not going to happen like that,’ said Burnley defender Michael Keane, a mainstay of the qualification campaign. ‘Nothing is ever that simple. Portugal have great players and are a great side.’

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson (middle) is likely to replace Stones in England’s defence if he misses out

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers will also be pressing for a start against Portugal

Southgate thinks the same of England and does not expect them to suffer stage fright because of what he sees in training and how close they are as a group. That will be evident before kick-off when they huddle to listen to Butland.

‘I will tell them we have come a long way,’ he said. ‘There’s no pressure on us. We can only gain. If we perform, we gain, it’s as simple as that. I believe in everyone, and everyone believes in each other. If we perform as we can, we can go far in this tournament.’

Bold words. Now It is time for England to back them up.