Stones pictured wearing knee strapping during England training session (2024)

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England defender John Stones was seen wearing strapping around his knee during a training session on Wednesday, handing Gareth Southgate another fitness scare.

The Three Lions' squad were put through their paces in a series of drills as they ramped up their preparations for their Euro 2024 quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on Saturday, having beaten Slovakia in extra time in the last-16.

A stunning overhead kick from Jude Bellingham rescued England, and likely Southgate's job, in the final minute of stoppage time before captain Harry Kane headed home shortly after the restart and completed the dramatic turnaround.

Southgate has been handed a number of selection headaches during the tournament but was again able to watch his full contingent on the training pitch.

Pictures of Stones sporting heavy strapping around his right knee may cause concern, however, with his usual partner Marc Guehi already ruled out.

Stones, 30, played the entirety of the 120 minutes last time out but was spotted leaving the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen with protection on his leg.

It is likely the strapping was simply a precaution and he is set to be in line to play.

Guehi is suspended after picking up a booking in just the third minute against Slovakia and his absence may see Ezri Konsa line up alongside Stones instead.

Spirits appeared high in the camp with golden boy Jude Bellingham snapped laughing with team-mates while left back Luke Shaw was again spotted in action.

Kieran Trippier has filled in on the left side of Southgate's backline with Shaw called up this summer despite struggling for fitness at the back end of the season with Manchester United. Bukayo Saka was also drafted in as an emergency option.

Shaw had been ruled out with a hamstring injury and has not played since mid-February - but he did make the bench for the nervy win at the weekend.

Southgate appears spoiled for choice ahead of the match in Dusseldorf and looks likely to be able to select 25 of his 26-man group - with Guehi the only absentee.

'I'm always ready. When the gaffer wants to play me, wherever he wants to play, I will step in,' Konsa, who came on at left back on Sunday, said. 'I'm always ready.'

Trippier was withdrawn in the 66th minute after receiving a blow to his knee but is confident he will be fit to play against Switzerland.

'Gareth made a decision to maybe tweak things, and it worked,' Trippier said.

'I think I'll be fine. It's just about recovering. We have five or six days until the next game. This took a lot out of us mentally, going into extra time.

'But it shows the character of this team.'

Euro 2024Harry KaneGareth Southgate