Gareth Southgate reveals axed England star who could STILL play in Euro 2024 and face Iceland at Wembley

JARELL QUANSAH’S Euro 2024 dream might not be over.

England boss Gareth Southgate axed the centre-back – but put him in the squad for Friday’s friendly with Iceland and on STANDBY for the finals.

GettyGareth Southgate reckons it would be ‘great’ for Jarell Quansah to pick up Wembley experience against Iceland on Friday[/caption]

Harry Maguire is ‘devastated’ to miss out on England’s squadGetty

Southgate cut out seven stars including Liverpool‘s uncapped 21-year-old when he named his final party of 26 to jet out to Germany.

Injured Harry Maguire and Everton’s £80million-rated Jarrad Branthwaite might be seen as the biggest names omitted from his defensive options.

But when asked if anyone would be on standby for the Euros, Southgate singled out a player who has made just 17 Premier League games.

He said: “Jarell Quansah has stayed with us.

“I think he’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley.

“So I think that would be great for him to be with us for the game.”

Southgate admitted it was agony reducing his 33-man squad to 26.

Manchester United ace Maguire is “devastated” to be out with a calf issue that denied him a place in last month’s FA Cup final win over Man City.

Southgate said: “Trent (Alexander-Arnold) can play play in defence and I think we have nine defenders.

“Harry has made some progress but it’s been complicated, we definitely wouldn’t have had him for the group stages.”

In contrast, Southgate was confident enough in the recovery of Maguire’s club-mate Luke Shaw to keep the left-back in his reduced squad.

He explained: “He’s progressed really well in the last couple of weeks.

“At the moment we think he could have some involvement in the second group game.

” I think you can take one gamble and that’s a gamble, we’ve got enough evidence to believe it can pay off.”

Meanwhile, Quansah will be anxiously hoping for his senior Three Lions’ debut against Iceland.

He only picked up his first league experience in January 2023 with a loan debut for Bristol Rovers in league One.

Then came his England Under-20 debut two months later and his U21 introduction in October 2023.

But most importantly he’s had an astonishing breakthrough season with Liverpool.