Former Sheffield United defender Harry Maguire steps up injury comeback for England

Gareth Southgate’s men became the first Three Lions side to triumph in their European Championship opener as Raheem Sterling’s strike proved enough to see off their 2018 World Cup semi-final foes.

Sunday’s matchwinner and the other 10 that started the 1-0 victory played out in sweltering conditions did recovery work away from the main group on Monday afternoon having returned from London

Former Blades favourite Dean Henderson was on the bench against Croatia but was not involved in the main session due to an ongoing minor issue, but Manchester United team-mate Maguire was in the 14-man training group.

The 28-year-old was always going to be a long shot for the Group D opener after sustaining ankle ligament damage on May 9.

Maguire, who hails from Mosborough, has not featured for club or country since then but is making steady progress in his rehabilitation.

The centre-back was among the three members of Southgate’s 26-man squad not to make the matchday squad of 23 at Wembley.

Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho were the other players not to make the cut, albeit those decisions were not injury related and they both trained at St George’s Park on Monday.

Meanwhile, Czech Republic beat Scotland 2-0 in Group D’s other opening match on Monday. Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck did not make the matchday squad for Steve Clarke’s side.

The 29-year-old missed much of their preparation after testing positive for coronavirus – but could return against England on Friday.