Maguire on his return to the England fold after EUROs disappointment

Harry Maguire says it's "amazing" to be back in the England fold after missing out on EURO 2024 with injury.

The centre-back had been a mainstay of Gareth Southgate's Three Lions side, playing at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and EURO 2020, as well as starting all eight EURO 2024 qualifiers.

He accepts the summer setback was frustrating personally but is determined to make up for lost time, starting with this week's Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Maguire said: "It's amazing to see all the lads. I can't wait to get going for England again.

"Obviously the summer was disappointing for me. It was a real tough moment in my career to work as hard as I did all the way through last season to get myself into a great position physically and in terms of form. I felt in a great place and it was so disappointing I couldn't overcome the injury I had.

"It was a strange summer in the sense that there was a lot of noise around the team. It maybe wasn't always our best performance levels but the lads showed togetherness and great spirit to reach another final.

"There were obviously times when I wished I was there but I did manage to enjoy it. I had a nice break and I was watching every game with my family, hoping we could go all the way.

"I still felt like I was part of the group, which was nice. Obviously playing in qualifying is part of it and I was in constant dialogue with the players and I spoke with Gareth [Southgate] as well."

Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa impressed during the tournament and Maguire is aware that competition for places at centre-back is fierce as the team embark on their Nations League campaign.

He said: "It's always a challenge to get in the team and stay there, you've got to perform. Me and John [Stones] have managed to do that for years and we've built an amazing partnership.

"Marc was excellent over the summer and Ezri stepped in for the quarter-final and was excellent as well. They're two great players and we have other young lads coming through, like Levi [Colwill] who's with us now. It's a good thing for England, ultimately."

Southgate handed Maguire all 63 of his England caps but the defender is now aiming to add to that tally under new management, with interim head coach Lee Carsley in charge of the side for this week's matches.

Saturday is loading... ⏳#ThreeLions | @NuffieldHealth pic.twitter.com/OQAqRZeWox

— England (@England) September 5, 2024

Carsley has selected a young squad and explained last week that he sees Maguire as "a really good leader" for that group. 

The Manchester United man said: "There's obviously been a lot of change. The likes of Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw and Jude Bellingham aren't here. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins have pulled out.

"There's a real opportunity for the young lads to stake a claim. It's important that the experienced players guide the young ones down the right pathway to give them a chance of winning major tournaments.

"The journey we were on with Gareth over my time here was excellent but we still have lots of experience in the form of Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Harry Kane.

"The new manager seems really upbeat, really positive, and I can't wait to continue my England career with him."