England will consider abandoning the bike rides that players do as part of their post-match recovery after an accident left Anthony Gordon with cuts to his chin and hands.
Gordon, who could come into the starting lineup in Sunday’s last-16 tie against Slovakia, was the subject of much mirth from the rest of the squad after suffering a heavy fall the day after England’s draw with Slovenia. The winger mostly emerged with damaged pride, along with a very noticeable graze on his chin, but there is expected to be a review into whether the team continue to use electric bikes that are capable of picking up high speeds.
“I’ve never been on a bike like it,” Ezri Konsa said. “It is weird – you can pick up some speed on that. It’s got a turbo button, so you press the turbo button and as you pedal it just goes quick. It must have been a bad fall.
“I think he pressed the wrong brake because back in England the brakes are on different sides, so the left is the back. I think he pressed the left and it was the front and he just took off. He’s fine. I think that will be the last time we go on the bike.”
Konsa suggested there will be a bike-themed celebration if Gordon scores against Slovakia. The England defender was quickly on the scene after the fall.
“Just a few grazes and scratches,” Konsa said. “It was funny. I was coming down on my bike, I saw him and thought: ‘What’s happened there?’ I saw the graze on his chin and his nose and I burst out laughing.
“Some players were out in front and as I was coming down the hill, I saw Ant and he was lying there with his face bloodied, hands and chin. At least he wore his helmet.”
Meanwhile, the Football Association has contacted representatives of England’s players about arranging proxy or postal votes for their clients for next Thursday’s general election. The players are under no pressure from the FA to vote.