Young winning fitness battle

Ashley Young looks to be winning his battle for fitness ahead of England’s Euro 2012 quarter-final with Italy.

Young suffered a blow to his shin during Tuesday’s victory over Ukraine in Donetsk and it was feared he might not be available for Sunday’s last eight clash in Kiev.

However, it is believed Roy Hodgson expects to have all 23 members of his squad available for selection as England look to secure their first major tournament semi-final appearance since Euro 96.

“All 22 players either trained or did recovery work,” said an FA spokesman following a closed training session this morning.

Striker Jermain Defoe was not present, having returned to England for his father’s funeral.

The Tottenham man is expected to be back in Krakow tomorrow morning.

England will hold a training session tomorrow that will be open for 30 minutes, which will give a clearer indication of Young’s fitness.

As an ever-present in the Three Lions campaign so far, Hodgson would want to have Young available if at all possible.