Gareth Southgate Allowed To Take 26 England Players To Euro 2020 After Squad Size Expanded

England boss Gareth Southgate will be able to select a whopping 26-man squad instead of 23 for Euro 2020 after changes approved by UEFA.

UEFA's national teams committee has confirmed an increase in player selection after reviewing the impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic on the football season.

According to The Times, the decision to bump up the squad numbers will be ratified by UEFA's executive committee later this week.

The newspaper added that UEFA's change would help teams with 'more flexibility' if they are affected by a potential outbreak of COVID-19.

Southgate will now have the option to bring along players who have returned from a recent injury or those who narrowly missed out on a place in the England squad.

However, the England manager hinted last month that he might stay with the normal 23-man squad, though that could change once UEFA's ratifies the new proposal.

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to be one of the names who might not travel with England for the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament.

But the 22-year-old full-back might be selected now as Southgate has the extra space for him and other English starlets like Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham.

Jack Grealish's hopes of being in the England team might have also been boosted as the Aston Villa star has been out of action since February with a shin problem.

Another option for Southgate would be recalling Jesse Lingard to the England squad.

Lingard, 28, has received a much-needed career revival after he left Manchester United in January to sign on loan for West Ham.

The Euros will be held in June and July across multiple European cities after the tournament was postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Three Lions will be in Group D alongside 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, UEFA, England, Gareth Southgate, Euros

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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