Manchester United's Tom Heaton will join England's Euro 2024 squad as a training goalkeeper.
Gareth Southgate picked Everton's Jordan Pickford, Arsenals Aaron Ramsdale, and Crystal Palaces Dean Henderson as the three goalkeepers in his traveling squad after Burnley James Trafford was left out from the final 26-man group.
However, Heaton, 38 will head out to Germany to aid the trio during this summer's tournament.
Southgate said: "I am really pleased Tom has agreed to join us in Germany. Experience tells us that a tournament can put a lot of demand on our goalkeeping group led by Martyn Margetson."
Tom will play an invaluable role on the training pitch supporting Jordan, Aaron, and Dean.
Off the field, as someone we all know well, he will add to the positive environment we are always looking to create. We are grateful to Manchester United for their support in making this happen.
Heaton told his club website: "I am incredibly honored to be asked by Gareth to join the squad."
"To get the call to go to a major tournament, to help in any way I can, and to pass on my experience is a proud moment. We have a great squad, I'm excited and can't wait to join the group."
Heaton earned three caps for the England national team, with his last appearance being against France in 2017. He was last named in an England squad in September 2019.
The goalkeeper, whose contract with United expires later this month, joined the club in 2021 after leaving Aston Villa. He has made three appearances for United and did not feature for the side during the 2023-24 season.
England, who lost a friendly against Iceland 1-0 at Wembley last Friday, begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday.
Manchester United’s Tom Heaton to join England’s Euro 2024 squad as training goalkeeper
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Manchester United’s Tom Heaton to join England’s Euro 2024 squad as training goalkeeper
- Gareth Southgate picked Everton's Jordan Pickford, Arsenals Aaron Ramsdale, and Crystal Palaces Dean Henderson as the three goalkeepers in his traveling squad after Burnley James Trafford was left out from the final 26-man group
- The goalkeeper, whose contract with United expires later this month, joined the club in 2021 after leaving Aston Villa
Pakistan cruise past Sri Lanka in T20I opener
- Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets as Shadab Khan takes two wickets, Sahibzada Farhan smashes 50
- Pakistan cricket team will play all their upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 fixtures in Sri Lanka next month
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka: Pakistan underlined their credentials as serious contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup with a commanding six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the three-game series in Dambulla on Wednesday.
Touted as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India, the series holds added significance for Pakistan, who will play all their tournament matches on the island owing to political tensions with their nuclear-armed neighbors.
Pakistan ticked most boxes on the night, first bottling Sri Lanka up for a modest 128 and then knocking off the target with 20 deliveries to spare, barely breaking sweat.
The game tilted decisively in Pakistan’s favor early, with Shadab Khan ripping the heart out of the Sri Lankan innings by striking twice in his very first over.
The leg-spinner, returning after shoulder surgery and playing his first match for Pakistan since June last year, marked his comeback with a telling spell.
“When you are coming back from injury it is tough. You have to start from zero but the surface was helping me. We have our eyes on the World Cup. With all our games being played here in Sri Lanka, this is a very good series for us,” player-of-the-match Shadab said.
Abrar Ahmed complemented Shadab neatly, finishing with 3-25, while left-arm quick Salman Mirza bowled with fire, mopping up the tail with figures of 3-18 as Sri Lanka were bowled out with four balls unused.
During the run chase, openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan flew out of the blocks, racing to 50 in just 25 balls.
Nuwan Thushara bore the brunt of the assault, conceding 31 runs in his first two overs as Pakistan seized early control.
Farhan anchored the chase with a fluent 51 off 36 balls, peppered with four fours and two sixes — his eighth T20I half-century — as Pakistan cruised home without alarm.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat compounds a turbulent lead-up to the series that saw captain Charith Asalanka axed, chairman of selectors Upul Tharanga shown the door and the coaching staff reshuffled.
With little time to catch their breath, the hosts face a swift rethink ahead of the second match on Friday at the same venue.
“We didn’t get a good start and lost too many wickets. That is an issue we need to address. We recovered well and should have got over 150, but we lost quick wickets,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said.
