England suffer major blow as key player forced to undergo surgery ahead of Euro 2024

England manager Gareth Southgate has been dealt a huge blow ahead of Euro 2024 after a defender underwent surgery this week.

The Three Lions are in Group C at the tournament alongside Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.

England are among the favourites to win the competition after losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties.

They kick off their campaign against Serbia on June 16 and hope to have a full-strength squad to choose from.

Southgate will be drawing up his final 23-man squad over the coming months and will use March's international friendlies with Brazil and Belgium to assess several players.

One man he won't be watching is Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, who suffered a knee injury against Brighton earlier this month.

Per the Daily Mail, the 23-year-old has undergone a procedure after determining the full extent of the issue.

Guehi was set to return within the next three weeks, but that layoff is expected to be six to eight weeks.

Since making his international debut in 2022, Guehi has earned nine caps and is a mainstay in the England squad.

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Missing next month's friendlies could dent his chances of playing any part in Germany this summer.

John Stones, Harry Maguire and Levi Colwill are all regulars for Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, while Jarrad Branthwaite is impressing at Everton.

Guehi's Palace contract runs until 2026, with several clubs interested in securing his signature. United are among those linked, as are Liverpool.

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Palace are currently 13th in the Premier League following a 3-0 win over Burnley in Oliver Glasner's first game as manager.

Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson earlier this month and is looking forward to having Guehi back for selection.

Guehi told Premier League Productions: "The things he expects from us is real high-standard stuff, and I think everyone's wanting to take that on board, wanting to do well by the manager because he's come in in a tough period, but with some really good ideas, and ideas to help us move forward hopefully for many years to come."