Jordan Henderson will miss England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024, with his former Liverpool teammate Curtis Jones set to take his place.
The 32-year-old has been a regular in the England squad for more than a decade, although questions will now arise over his Three Lions future as Gareth Southgate appears to be looking at alternative options.
It comes after Henderson’s controversial move to Al-Ettifaq last summer, a move that lasted just five months before the former Liverpool captain moved to Ajax in January.
The move to Ajax was seen as boosting his hopes of competing in the 2024 Euros, but it appears he will be left out of the extended squad to be announced this afternoon.
His former Liverpool teammate Curtis Jones will benefit from Henderson’s exclusion, with the midfielder looking set to win his first senior cap.
Jordan Henderson has reportedly been left out of England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024
Henderson was a regular throughout Gareth Southgate’s reign as Three Lions manager
Henderson’s former teammate Curtis Jones (centre) will be included in an England squad for the first time
West Ham star Jarrod Bowen, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford will also be part of Southgate’s England squad, which will be reduced to 26 players before the tournament kicks off in Germany.
It is also understood that Crystal Palace quartet Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson will be included in the 30-plus man squad – following the Eagles’ excellent end to the Premier League season.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill will also be part of the provisional squad, despite not playing in the final months of the season due to injury.
England are having a bit of an injury crisis going into the tournament, especially at the left-back position.
Luke Shaw, who has struggled to stay fit at Manchester United all season, will be included, although the Guardian has reported that Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell is expected to be left out.
The United left-back has not played since the Red Devils faced Luton on February 18.
Raheem Sterling has been ruled out, but this is not seen as a surprise as he has not featured since the World Cup in Qatar.
However, the exclusion of Henderson, who made his England debut in 2010 and was called up for the last six major tournaments, is a major surprise.
Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton are among four Crystal Palace stars set to be included
Chelsea’s Levi Colwill will also be in the team despite being out of action recently
His place in the squad was almost a guarantee throughout Southgate’s reign as England manager.
However, fans wondered whether he deserved his place in the team when he moved to the Saudi Pro League due to the level of opposition he faced during his short spell in the country.
Henderson only played twelve times for Ajax due to a muscle injury, although he played for the Dutch team in the final games of the season.
Southgate visited the Netherlands to watch Henderson’s Ajax debut in February.
“It was really nice for Gareth to come and watch my debut for Ajax,” said Henderson. “It was good that he came to see that he was keeping an eye on me.
Southgate will trim his 30-plus man squad to 26 ahead of this summer’s tournament
‘It is always a privilege for me to play for my country and I want to continue doing so for as long as possible.
‘I certainly feel that I can offer something to the national team. I have to play here and do my job, that’s my main focus. But of course I feel like I can help the squad and the squad move forward in the next camp and hopefully in the summer.”
The veteran retained his place in the squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in March.
After moving to Saudi Arabia, he was booed by England fans when they played in Australia in October, prompting Southgate to defend him at the time.
As Henderson was booed, Southgate was asked if he took external influences into account when choosing his team.
He responded saying, “We will judge Jordan like any other player. But if I were to select just a popularity contest, our team would look very, very different.
“I will always choose the players who I think are the best players to represent the team, who give us the best chance to win, unless there is something that I don’t think is appropriate.”