Gareth Southgate expects to stick with a back four at Euro 2024 – as he assesses his defensive options for Germany.

Albion skipper Lewis Dunk is one of eight specialist defenders, plus versatile Trent Alexander-Arnold, in the 26-man England squad for the forthcoming tournament.

But senior centre-back Harry Maguire is not making the trip due to a calf injury while Everton centre Jarrad Branthwaite has been left out.

Dunk missed the 1-0 defeat by Iceland on Friday night and is due to resume full training early in the coming week.

Asked whether he would revert to a back three with wing-backs given personnel issues, England boss Southgate said: “It’s not something we have talked about.

“It’s not a route we have been looking to go for sure.

“Availability of players changes what you may do and what profile of player you may play in certain positions.

“But we have been on a good path without the ball against top level opponents in Belgium and Brazil (in March). We didn’t get that right (against Iceland).”

England are keeping a close eye on Dunk, who ended the domestic season with a minor knee injury.

Players and staff enjoyed a final day off on Saturday before reconvening and flying out to Germany on Monday.

Southgate’s side will stay and train at the remote Spa and Golf Resort Weimarer Land, where they will continue to iron out the physical kinks that have been a headache throughout the build-up.

Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka returned from the fitness concerns on Friday evening, when Kieran Trippier and Marc Guehi got more minutes under their belts after returning from recent lay-offs.

Southgate said: “We’re focusing on all aspects, really, but we can’t hide the fact that we have got a lot of physical issues.

“That’s plain for everybody to see.”

Southgate said he expects defender John Stones to be “okay” after he was replaced at half-time on Friday with an ankle injury.