Date: 3rd June 2021 at 2:53pm
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Having only made three England appearances throughout a career in the Premier League, Gabriel Agbonlahor knows all too well the value of putting on the England shirt. 

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate faced a tough decision, and still faces, regarding his squad for this year’s European Championships – with the fitness of some key players being called into question.

Trent Alexander-Arnold may miss out due to a fresh injury concern while Harry Maguire looks destined to miss at least the opening day of the tournament – however, it is Jordan Henderson that has riled up Agbonlahor.

The Liverpool captain has seen his club side win the Champions League and an elusive Premier League title in recent years, but the former Aston Villa man has labelled him ‘selfish’ for not stepping aside from the squad.

Henderson informed his manager of some ‘discomfort’ and was sent for scans on Wednesday morning, following the squad announcement, leaving Agbonlahor furious.

He told talkSPORT: “The thing that is really winding me up is the Henderson thing, He should just be honest with the manager now and say ‘you know what I am struggling here. I’m a leader and a captain in myself, I’ll do the right thing for the squad’.

“Bring in whoever you have to bring in as another central midfielder because this injury is playing up now.”

Jordan Henderson training ahead of England’s last major tournament appearance, the 2018 World Cup

He continued: “I think [Henderson] is being selfish. If you look at it, the squad has been announced and he told Southgate he is not fit. They said the scans have come back and they’re fine but he knows himself that there is a niggle he is feeling.

“The tournament starts in 10 days, you are playing against Croatia, playing against a good team. You need to be at it, you need a training session before the game, you need some games in you.” 

Henderson has been a key man in Liverpool’s highly successful team and won over many England hearts with extremely impressive performances in the 2018 World Cup semi-final run.

Do you agree with Agbonlahor – should the former Sunderland man step aside and forgo the opportunity to play at this year’s European tournament due to his injury discomfort, allowing someone like James Ward-Prowse to come in?

 
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