England vs Russia: Chris Smalling dismisses injury concerns ahead of Euro 2016 opener

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has dismissed injury fears ahead of England's Euro 2016 opener against Russia.

Smalling, 26, was seen icing his knee following a training session at England's training camp in Chantilly on Tuesday (7 June). But the defender has insisted it was merely part of his normal training routine and trained as normal on Wednesday.

There's no injury scare there, it's normal," Smalling told a conference. "I often ice different parts of my body or jump in an ice bath, so [it was] just [a] normal recovery process to be ready for the next day."

Smalling is one of just three specialist centre-halves selected for this summer's competition, alongside Chelsea's Gary Cahill and Everton's John Stones.

Roy Hodgson's selection has prompted concerns his side will be short at the back if one of those options was to pick up an injury, but Smalling insists there are enough back-up options in the squad.

"We've got a couple of other people who can play at centre-back as well, I don't think it's a position that's necessarily a worry. We're very well covered in all positions."

Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier appears the most likely candidate to provide cover if one of Smalling, Cahill or Stones picks up a knock. The 22-year-old emerged as a centre-half at Sporting Lisbon before signing for Spurs in 2014, where he excelled in a holding midfield role last season.

Following their opener against Russia on Saturday 11 June, England take on Wales in Lens four days later on 16 June. The Three Lions conclude their group campaign against Slovakia on 20 June.