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John Stones\u2019 injury has given England manager Gareth Southgate the chance to explore his centre-back options in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.<\/p>\n
The City defender was forced off with a problem in Tuesday\u2019s Champions League win over Young Boys with boss Pep Guardiola admitting it is \u201cdeep bad news\u201d.<\/p>\n
Stones only returned to action in October after a two-month absence with hamstring and hip problems but Southgate had no hesitation in starting him in the important qualifying win over Italy.<\/p>\n
But with qualification for the summer\u2019s tournament in Germany already secured, Southgate \u2013 who names his squad on Thursday \u2013 can afford to look at his back-up options.<\/p>\n
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk and AC Milan\u2019s Fikayo Tomori started together in last month\u2019s friendly win over Australia but Crystal Palace\u2019s Marc Guehi was the man Southgate opted to replace Stones for the final 27 minutes against Italy and has the most caps of the trio.<\/p>\n
Injuries to Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw meant Kieran Trippier filled in at left-back against Italy but Chelsea\u2019s Levi Colwill started against Australia and could be another one to benefit from any experimentation.<\/p>\n
Colwill\u2019s club captain Reece James could be in for a recall having returned from injury while Chelsea team-mate Raheem Sterling will be hoping two goals and some improved form in his last five matches will earn him a call-up for the first time since the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Those chances could be enhanced depending on the extent of the ankle injury sustained by James Maddison during Tottenham\u2019s loss to Chelsea on Monday and how significant the hamstring problem which forced off Callum Wilson in Newcastle\u2019s Champions League defeat against Borussia Dortmund.<\/p>\n
But Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka should return after withdrawing from the squad in October.<\/p>\n
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips\u2019 49 minutes of action since his international start against Italy is unlikely to count against him, but James Ward-Prowse is knocking on the door of a first call-up in 14 months after a number of good performances for West Ham.<\/p>\n