Gary Cahill misses England training after picking up knock in final game of Chelsea's season

James Benge18 May 2016

Gary Cahill was absent from England's first training session ahead of Euro 2016.

Without those involved in the Europa League and FA Cup finals, Roy Hodgson was able to call on 17 players of his 26 players at St George's Park on Wednesday.

Chelsea centre-back Cahill was the only absentee from those available for the afternoon session due to a knock picked up in the 1-1 season finale at home to Leicester.

The severity of the knock was unclear ahead of England's first preparation friendly against Turkey at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Hodgson named just seven defenders in his preliminary squad, only three of whom were centre-backs. Phil Jagielka of Everton was the unlucky one to make way as the England manager endeavoured to give himself an abundance of options in midfield and defence.

Cahill, vice-captain to Wayne Rooney, is expected to start with Chris Smalling when England begin the tournament against Russia in Marseille on June 11, with John Stones or defensive midfielder Eric Dier the other options to cover at centre-back.

The Chelsea defender started just 21 Premier League matches this season, struggling to secure a place before Kurt Zouma’s ligament injury in February, but is confident he is in the right form to impress next month.

England Euro 2016 warm-up friendlies and group fixtures

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He told Standard Sport: “I feel good. Obviously going into a tournament at the end of a long season is the same for every player and every country that play in a tournament.

“But it’s all about looking after your body in the time that we have between now and when the tournament starts. Personally, I feel fine and I’m ready to go.”

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