Debilitating defence can undo England's potent attack

DORTMUND - England face the first test of their credentials as one of the Euro 2024 favourites when they launch their campaign against Serbia on June 16, with injuries and illness adding to worries about an already depleted defence.

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Manager Gareth Southgate - under pressure to win their first major men's trophy since the 1966 World Cup must decide whether to risk centre-half John Stones, who has just overcome injury only to be hit by a virus this week.

Stalwart centre-back Harry Maguire failed to make the squad due to injury and his likely replacement Marc Guehi has no previous tournament experience and missed three months of Crystal Palace's season with a knee injury.

Guehi is set to partner Stones, who is not 100 per cent but has declared that he "feels great physically".

Left-back Luke Shaw also looks set to miss the Group C opener in Gelsenkirchen as he recovers from a hamstring problem suffered in February, with right-footed Kieran Trippier likely to play on the left until Shaw can return.