Anthony Gordon ready to give Slovakia defenders nightmares if England call comes

Anthony Gordon says he is ready to give Slovakia’s defenders nightmares if called upon this weekend, having shaken of his cycling mishap to hand Gareth Southgate a selection headache ahead of the last-16 tie.

Gordon came off his bike while taking part in a recovery ride at England’s Blakenhain base on Wednesday, the day after the miserable 0-0 draw with Slovenia.

The incident left the Newcastle star with a nasty graze on his chin as well as cuts on his hands and legs, but otherwise he escaped with little more than damaged pride.

"It was a lovely day, I was going down a hill, trying to take a quick video for my family, just to show them what I was doing,” he explained. “Before I knew it, I was head first into the floor.

“I’ve got a got a few grazes, a few cuts but it’s not anything painful.

“They are electric [bikes] so they are faster than normal bike. In England, the front brake is on the right-hand side. Here, I tried to press the left just to slow down and, next minute it has not slowed down, it has fully come to a stop… and I haven’t. I have gone ten feet in the air, chin first.”

Gordon revealed Southgate’s first reaction to the incident was laughter and admitted he has quickly become the but of all jokes within the England camp.

"The thing was, because I was on my phone I didn’t know I was falling off until I hit the floor,” he added. “I was just focused on my phone and I went chin first.

“I think the moral of the story is that we spend too much time on our phones these days. The moral of the story is to just enjoy the moment without a phone.”

Gordon was an unused substitute during England’s first two matches of this European Championship, before only coming off the bench for his major tournament debut in the 89th-minute against Slovenia.

There are, however, growing calls for the 23-year-old to be thrown into the starting lineup against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen.

“My main strengths are I am very direct,” he said, when asked what he would bring to the side. “I’m obviously quick. I know I am a nightmare for anyone that I play against.

“I’m positive. Every time I get the ball, I always to make something happen. I’m not a very safe player, I am always going for it. I am always trying to put people on the back foot.

“With [the] players we have got - the likes of H [Harry Kane], who likes to drop deep - I think I add a different element to the team.”

Gordon’s case may be helped by the fact that Phil Foden only returned to training on Friday having flown home after the Slovenia game to be at the birth of his third child.

The Manchester City forward has started the first three games on the left-wing, but Gordon is more of a natural in the position and England’s misfiring attack has lacked badly for width on that flank.

“I just like to give my best and like I said before, control the controllables,” Gordon added. “I think if I train to the very best of my ability, and do the best I can every day, that's my way of giving [Southgate] a headache in terms of selection. The rest I can't control.”