W/Cup Qualifiers: Sancho set to miss Hungary clash

 

England could be without Jadon Sancho when they get back in action on Thursday with a World Cup qualifier in Hungary.

The clash at the Puskas Arena in Budapest will be the first for the Three Lions since they were beaten in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley following a penalty shootout against Italy.

Sancho was among the England stars who crucially missed one of the spot-kicks that evening, but he could now miss out for Gareth Southgate on Thursday due to a knock.

Sancho has featured in all three of Manchester United’s Premier League games this term following his £73million switch from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The 21-year-old made his first United start on Sunday in the 1-0 win at Wolves but struggled to make an impact before being substituted in the 72nd minute.

Southgate revealed in his pre-match press conference that the United forward was a doubt for the Hungary clash and would be assessed, although confirmed the rest of his 24-man squad were fit for the game.

‘We’ve got a small knock with Jadon [Sancho] this morning’, Southgate said. ‘So we are going to assess him. Everybody else I think is fine for the game.’

The Budapest clash already looks like being a pivotal match in Group I between what are currently the top two teams.

Victory for England on Thursday could see them pull as much as five points clear in where only the group winners secure automatic qualification for the World Cup to be hosted in Qatar next year.

England have three World Cup qualifiers to play over the international break as they host Andorra at Wembley on Sunday before facing a tricky test in Poland next Wednesday.

Southgate added: ‘I think the two away games this week are both going to be hugely challenging.

‘They’re good teams. They’re obviously pivotal games in terms of qualification.

‘You can’t predict what your hardest games are going to be, but we know that Hungary are a very good side and sit second in the group.’