Sport : Football

DEFOE RETURNS TO ENGLAND SQUAD

9th June 2012, 05:57pm

Jermain Defoe: Back in Krakow

Jermain Defoe: Back in Krakow

Jermain Defoe rejoined the England squad on Satyrdat morning.

The striker had returned home on Thursday following the death of his father but was back at the team's hotel in Krakow.

And just 30 minutes after arriving at the hotel, Defoe boarded the team bus to head off to training.

The news will boost manager Roy Hodgson, who has several injury worries to contend with ahead of Monday's Euro 2012 opener against France in Donetsk.

Defender Joleon Lescott is reportedly nursing groin and knee problems, while John Terry and Ashley Cole are said to be carrying knocks.

There was also brief concern over James Milner, who has been heavily tipped to start on Monday, after the City midfielder sat out England's visit to Auschwitz and the Oskar Schindler factory on Friday.

But the Football Association soon confirmed the 26-year-old was advised to stay off his feet for the afternoon after suffering blisters and were confident he would train on Saturday.

Milner was one of nine players not to take part in full training on Friday morning, eight of whom are expected to play on Monday.

The FA were at pains to stress all the absences were planned after a tough session behind closed doors and were part of the individual players' rehabilitation programmes.

Things appear better in the forward line, particularly with Defoe now back in the fold.

Ashley Young is expected to fill the void left be the suspended Wayne Rooney, with Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck are vying for the other forward berth.

Carroll was paired with Young during Friday's public training session.

However, the Liverpool forward was also part of the FA visit to Auschwitz which - fitness permitting - seemed to be made up of players who were not going to start on Monday.

Welbeck did make a big impression against Belgium on Saturday, when he scored the only goal, and it would be no surprise if he got the nod to start his first competitive game.

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