Dean Henderson offers update on when John Stones could be back in action for England at Euro 2024, with key defender a doubt for Serbia opener with sickness bug

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England goalkeeper Dean Henderson has offered a new update on when John Stones could return to action. 

Stones has been suffering with a bug in recent days and was isolating from his team-mates on Wednesday night as medical staff attempted to prevent illness spreading through the camp on the eve of the European Championship. 

The Manchester City defender was the only player to miss training at their Blankenhain base on Wednesday as he battles a sickness bug, and he is now a doubt for Sunday's Group C opener against Serbia.

And Henderson is hopeful Stones will be able to return to training soon, saying: 'He's just got a little sickness bug that the doctors on top of so hopefully we will see him on the grass in the next couple of days.' 

Stones is one of five central defenders selected by the England boss for the tournament but he is by far the most important to the success of the side, especially after long-time international partner Harry Maguire was omitted from the squad due to injury.

Dean Henderson has provided an update on John Stones' possible return ahead of the Euros

Stones missed training on Wednesday due to a bug and has been isolating away from the team

The 30-year-old has himself endured a fairly frustrating campaign on the injury front. He started only 12 games in the Premier League for City last term, having experienced a hip issue at the start of the term.

He was an unused substitute in seven of City's last 10 league games and failed to make the squad altogether in another. Despite that patchy involvement at club level, he remains irreplaceable for the national team. 

Lewis Dunk is now on standby to come into the side and he featured prominently as the team worked on defensive shape during Tuesday's session.

When asked if he would be in the frame to start in Stones’ absence, the Brighton centre-back said: ’I would hope so. I’m not just here for a holiday!

‘John felt a bit rough yesterday (Tuesday), so we haven’t seen him today. There are a few days until Sunday, and we’ll see what happens. But I’m here to play games and win matches, and hopefully we can take the trophy home. That’s what I’m here for.’ 

England have worked this week on the threat that will be posed by Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Dunk is not having the notion of the defence being a weak link.

‘That is your opinion,’ he said when it was put to him. ‘Of course we are dismissing that. Inside the dressing room and inside the camp we are as confident as ever. We wouldn’t be here if the manager didn’t think we could play for England. I don’t see why that would be the case.’

Lewis Dunk is now on standby to come into the side if Stones is ruled out against Serbia 

Dunk has also been giving thought to the prospect of marking Mitrovic at the Veltins Arena.

‘He’s a big strong centre-forward who likes peeling to the back post and scoring goals,’ he said. ‘You’ve got to be switched onto that and make sure we mark him all the time.’