John Stones Ready for Euro 2024 After Injury and Illness

John Stones, England’s defender, expressed concern about a potential broken toe last week but is now fit and ready for his country’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday, following injury and illness. The 30-year-old Manchester City center-back left the field at half-time during the 1-0 friendly loss to Iceland last Friday.

Stones, who is a key starter for England when fit, missed training in Germany on Wednesday due to illness. Reflecting on the injury from the Iceland match, he said, “It felt like a fracture along my big toe, and you immediately fear the worst. But scans revealed it was minor, and I’m relieved to be over it.”

Stones never doubted his participation in the Euros despite the injury scare. After arriving in Germany, he fell ill with “hot and cold sweats,” leaving him feeling isolated. “I felt quite alone, stuck in my room without food. It made me appreciate my general good health over the years.”

To avoid spreading the illness to his teammates, John Stones remained in his hotel room all day Wednesday. He noted, “It was fortunate timing, if it had to happen, and I was back out by Thursday.” England’s Group C schedule includes matches against Denmark on 20 June and Slovenia on 25 June.