England Manager Gareth Southgate explains why Cole Palmer did not play during international break

Cole Palmer’s flagging Euro 2024 prospects have received a big boost, with Gareth Southgate saying the Chelsea forward is still in the running to make his final squad despite not playing a minute against Brazil or Belgium.

Palmer earned his England debut in November and was called up again by Southgate for the recent Wembley friendlies.

However, due to a slight injury, he was unable to play against Brazil and did not make it off the bench against Belgium.

Southgate is spoilt with choice in attack, with Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon adding to his choices after strong performances in the last two games.

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However, the England boss is still thinking about Palmer.

Palmer has 11 goals and eight assists in the Premier League this season, and Southgate stated, “I said when I named the squad that there is competition for places in those wide areas.”

“It’s unfortunate that Cole Palmer missed so much training that we weren’t able to get him into the game [against Belgium] at the time, having missed the whole of the week.

“We weren’t sure what we’d receive, whereas Gordon and [James] Maddison we knew. “I wouldn’t rule Cole out of the equation.”

The depth of England’s wing stock means that established players like Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish may miss out on the Euros this summer.

Rashford played only 15 minutes off the bench against Brazil and was an unused replacement against Belgium, while Grealish did not receive a call-up due to an injury at Manchester City.