Daniel Sturridge made a timely return to England training as Roy Hodgson prepares to end two players’ Euro 2016 dreams.

Fitness concerns led the Three Lions boss to name an enlarged 26-strong provisional party two weeks ago, with the squad now needing to be whittled down by three.

Fabian Delph has already dropped out due to a groin complaint and Hodgson has until the end of Tuesday to finalise his 23-man squad for France, with the decision on the pair missing out to come after training at Watford’s London Colney base.

The England manager had planned to announce his decision over the weekend in the wake of Friday’s friendly against Australia, but a change in tack will instead see him wait for the day of the deadline, leading to the media’s player access yesterday being scrapped.

Sturridge’s absence in the 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light looks to have played a key role in the decision to hold fire, with the oft-injured Liverpool striker sustaining a calf strain during the Europa League final loss to Sevilla.

Questions over the 26-year-old’s place in the squad were compounded by 18-year-old Marcus Rashford’s goalscoring debut, but the former Chelsea striker worked over the weekend and trained with the group yesterday, when Hodgson always expected to have a better idea about his availability.

Gary Cahill trained having missed Friday’s match following another injection in his hip, while teenager Marcus Rashford was with the group just days after netting during his dream debut.

The 18-year-old has given what Hodgson called a “little headache” before the squad announcement, although remains one of those sweating on their place.

Danny Drinkwater and Andros Townsend are others looking precarious, while reports suggest the coaching staff have concerns about Ross Barkley’s match fitness.