England defender Smalling confirms readiness to debut in Euro

England defender Chris Smalling has said that he is ready to participate in their first match in the Euro football championship against Russia next Saturday despite leaving the training pitch while pressing ice on his left knee.

"There's no injury scare there. I normally ice my body or jump into an ice bath," Efe quoted Smalling as saying in a press conference on Wednesday.

"It's just a normal recovery process to be ready for the next day. No worries there."

The Manchester United defender is also optimistic that Ryan Bertrand will be available to face Russia, despite the Southampton left-back having trained away from the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

"I'm not too sure. I've seen him doing parts (of training). I think he's close, so fingers crossed," Smalling said.

--IANS

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