Marc Guehi in line to start England’s opening Euro 2024 fixture against Serbia amid doubts over Harry Maguire

Marc Guehi is on course to start England’s Euro 2024 clash against Serbia with growing doubts over Harry Maguire’s availability for the tournament opener.

Speaking on Sunday, England head coach Southgate ruled Maguire, who is suffering with a calf injury, out of contention for Monday’s friendly against Bosnia and admitted it was unlikely that the Manchester United defender would be available for the final warm-up game against Iceland on Friday.

It means the centre-back will not have played since April 27 by the time England start their campaign in Germany on June 16.

And Crystal Palace centre-back Guehi is in line to play next to John Stones against Serbia if, as expected, Maguire fails to prove he is fully fit to start.

Guehi is set to to start alongside Brighton defender Lewis Dunk at St James’ Park on Monday, where a good performance will aid his fight to be selected for the start of the tournament.

Harry Maguire, who has been struggling with a calf injury, remains doubtful for the game

Meanwhile, Southgate says Luke Shaw, who hasn’t played for three months due to a serious hamstring injury, is making encouraging progress in his fight to be fit for the Euros but he will miss Monday night and Friday’s clash.

Anthony Gordon (ankle) and Bukayo Saka (groin) are also unavailable for the game against Bosnia but both should be fit for Iceland.

And asked how much he will consult with his injured contingent ahead of cutting down his current 33-man squad to 26, Southgate replied bluntly: ‘As little as possible. They’re lying buggers really! If you’re in a relegation battle, the treatment room is absolutely full.

‘If you’re in a cup final it’s empty. I’ve learned that. They have great intentions and are super positive, but equally they want to be on the plane, so we have got to have a more in depth view than that.’

Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney will be hoping to be handed the opportunity to impress against Bosnia with captain Harry Kane to start on the bench in the battle to go as the Bayern Munich striker’s understudy.

Southgate revealed that at present England are unlikely to use a three-at-the-back system

Southgate has also revealed his team are unlikely to use the three-at-the-back system that he deployed so often at the start of his reign.

‘We haven’t as yet (thought about three-at-the-back). Clearly we could, we know all the strengths and weakness of doing that,’ added Southgate.

‘It’s interesting to read about it being proposed, because I think we were pretty much killed for doing it quite a long period.’