Raheem Sterling leads England training with Jordan Henderson only absentee

Raheem Sterling and England stars train ahead of flying to Portugal with Jordan Henderson the only player to miss out prior to Nations League

  • England take on Holland in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday evening 
  • They held a final training session at St George’s Park on Wednesday morning 
  • The only player to miss out on session was Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson
  • All of the others involved in the Champions League final took part in training 

England held their last training session at St George’s Park before they fly out for the Nations League on Wednesday morning.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was the only absentee for Gareth Southgate’s side ahead of the semi-final clash on Thursday against Holland in Guimaraes, Portugal.

The Liverpool skipper is following an individual programme following Saturday’s 2-0 Champions League final win over Tottenham in Madrid.

Raheem Sterling was involved in England’s training session at St George’s Park on Wednesday

The Manchester City forward shares a joke with Callum Wilson as England prepare for Holland

The Manchester City forward shares a joke with Callum Wilson as England prepare for Holland

Ross Barkley, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Dele Alli (left to right) jog during the session

Ross Barkley, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Dele Alli (left to right) jog during the session

Gareth Southgate surveys the session as he prepares his side for the Nations League semi-final

Gareth Southgate surveys the session as he prepares his side for the Nations League semi-final

Others involved in the Champions League final did take part in the training session on Wednesday morning, though.

Harry Kane, who returned to action in the game in Madrid, could be seen smiling away during the session. 

Dele Alli took part, as did Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom will be hoping to play against Holland. 

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, who is poised to win his 50th cap on Thursday and is set to wear the captain’s armband for the game, was involved.

Stones and Alli perform some stretches together ahead of England flying to Portugal

Stones and Alli perform some stretches together ahead of England flying to Portugal

Stones tries to take the ball from Eric Dier, who played in the Champions League final

Stones tries to take the ball from Eric Dier, who played in the Champions League final

Ross Barkley holds onto the ball as most of the England squad watch on at St George's Park

Ross Barkley holds onto the ball as most of the England squad watch on at St George’s Park

Ben Chilwell tries to throw the ball on under pressure from Fabian Delph and Jadon Sancho

Ben Chilwell tries to throw the ball on under pressure from Fabian Delph and Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho, Callum Wilson, Jordan Pickford, Jesse Lingard, Harry Maguire and Michael Keane were part of the exercises too.

Fabian Delph insisted this week that England had prepared well for the inaugural Nations League: ‘We’ve been planning diligently. We’ve been watching a lot of clips on Holland, we’ve been working hard in training, we know what we need to know. 

‘We know the systems that we might need to play or adapt to.

Southgate shares a joke with Harry Kane, who was involved in the session with England

Southgate shares a joke with Harry Kane, who was involved in the session with England

Sancho standing in front of Alli

Trent Alexander-Arnold strolls onto the pitch

Sancho standing in front of Alli (left) while Trent Alexander-Arnold strolls onto the pitch (right)

‘So although from the outside it looks like, “Bloody hell, where is everyone?” I think we’ve got a squad of lads who are quite intelligent. 

‘They’re very professional, especially for such a young team, so we’ll be totally fine.’

England travel on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the game on Thursday.

Portugal and Switzerland play in Porto on Wednesday night with the final and third-place play-off on Sunday.

Another Champions League final participant, Danny Rose, throws the ball forward

Another Champions League final participant, Danny Rose, throws the ball forward

Jordan Pickford makes a save between the sticks

Jesse Lingard goes to catch the ball

Jordan Pickford makes a save between the sticks as Jesse Lingard goes to catch the ball

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez tracks Kane with Harry Maguire watching on in the distance

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez tracks Kane with Harry Maguire watching on in the distance

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