ANTHONY GORDON was gifted with a pair of stabilisers from a cheeky photographer at his meeting with the press at Euro 2024.
Gordon fell off an electric bike while at England’s camp in Germany, gashing his chin and cutting his hands in the process.
The 23-year-old was spotted with nasty injuries following a high-speed crash during an England “recovery” session on Wednesday.
The evening before, Gordon was a rare positive as a late substitute in the bore draw with Slovenia, leading to calls for him to start against Slovakia on Sunday.
And now a journalist has cheekily awarded him with a pair of bike stabilisers after the crash was made public on Thursday.
Gordon received his jested gift at England’s press conference base, where stars often play darts before answering reporter questions.
The Newcastle winger saw the funny side of his embarrassing blunder before recounting the incident to a room full of journalists.
Gordon said: “We went on what was meant to be a recovery bike ride.
“It was a lovely day yesterday and I was going down and trying to take a quick video for my family.
“Before I knew it, I was face first on the floor. I have a few cuts and bruises. Nothing painful. It was electric so it was a lot faster.
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“In England the front brake is on the left and the next minute, it had not slowed down and I was 10 feet in the air.
“I just carried on and finished the bike ride. When I got back to camp, no-one saw me.
“I definitely did not press record so there are some positives.
“I will get back on, It did not bother me. It was a lovely day but I ruined it for myself.
“The worst thing about it was because I was on my phone, I did not know I was falling off until I hit the floor.
“The moral of the story is that we spend too much time on our phone. Enjoy the moment rather than go on the phone.
“Gareth Southgate laughed at first. It was not that serious. Just a few scratches.”
KOBBIE MAINOO was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield, writes Jack Wilshere.
I think he showed why in the second half against Slovenia.
But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure.
He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.
Read Jack Wilshere’s post-match verdict in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.
JUDE BELLINGHAM was England’s head boy as Gareth Southgate’s side made a winning start in Germany.
The Real Madrid superstar oozed class throughout and broke the deadlock with only 13 minutes played thanks to an excellent header, dispatching Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross.
But, despite the brilliant start, it was a nervy affair here in Gelsenkirchen.
Serbia exerted significant pressure in the second half, with a few narrow escapes for Southgate’s men.
Harry Kane barely had a kick and the Premier League’s player of the year Phil Foden struggled to have any influence on the left of the Three Lions’ front three.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… with TWO stars getting just a 5.
