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Henderson ‘getting stronger all the time’ ahead of Euro 2020 opener

England midfielder Jordan Henderson says he is “getting stronger all the time” after making his return from injury in Sunday’s friendly win over Romania.

Henderson has been out injured since February but Gareth Southgate still opted to name one of his most senior players in his 26-man squad for Euro 2020, with England’s campaign getting underway against Croatia in a week’s time.

The Liverpool captain had been due to feature against Austria in midweek but pulled out after feeling some tightness on the morning of the game.

Instead, he returned as a half-time substitute in the 1-0 win over the Romanians and came through 45 minutes unscathed.

“I’m feeling very good,” he told BBC 5Live. “To get back onto the pitch was pleasing for me. I came through 45 minutes after a while out so happy with that and felt pretty good as well during the game. Delighted with that and have another week’s training until the first game so hopefully I can recover well.

“I didn’t need to take any risks with the Austria friendly, I have been training hard with the England team and did not feel 100 per cent going into that game. We thought the wisest thing to do was to get ready for the Romania game and I felt good and it was important. Overall, the right decision. I am getting stronger all the time.”

Henderson’s return was notable for a second-half penalty miss, which ensured his long wait for a first England goal goes on.

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In his post-match interview, Gareth Southgate said he had expected striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to take the spot-kick, with Henderson, by then wearing the captain’s armband, appearing to pull rank.

“”I was confident but it was a good save,” Henderson added. “It wasn’t a great penalty, a good height for the goalkeeper but I am not too bothered. It would have been nice to cap the comeback off with a goal.”

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