Chris Smalling eases Roy Hodgson’s injury headace by declaring himself fit for England’s Euro 2016 opener against Russia

CHRIS SMALLING eased Roy Hodgson’s injury fears by declaring himself fit for England’s Euro 2016 opener against Russia on Saturday.

The Man United defender left the Three Lions’ second training session in Chantilly yesterday with his left knee strapped and iced.

But speaking today he said that was just a routine part of his recovery process and that there was nothing to stop him starting in Marseilles.

Asked about the bandage, Smalling, whose new Old Trafford centre-back partner Eric Bailly signed today, said: “There is no injury scare, it’s normal. I often ice different parts of my body. It’s normal recovery process.

“We’ve got a couple of other people that can play centre-back and I don’t think that position’s a worry. We’re very well covered in all positions.”

Coach Ray Lewington clumsily gave England’s first Group B opponents a glimpse into their attacking formation yesterday when he was pictured flashing training details.

Smalling attempted to defuse the situation slightly when he said boss Roy Hodgson has shifted the focus to the Russians.

He said: “The build-up of excitement is drawing near and we’re all itching to go.

“There’s a few days till the game, it does creep up on you, but we’re now doing more on how Russia play and we’ll be fully ready.

“We’re all of the mindset that this is our chance, it’s time to take it. We have young players coming in to form and hopefully it ends in a spectacular way.”