Reporting for duty! England stars Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Co gather for the first time ahead of Euro 2024... but why are they meeting in Darlington?

England players have reported for training for the first as Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad gathers ahead of the upcoming European Championship.

Three Lions stars looked delighted as they walked through the doors of Darlington's Rockliffe Hall as they came together for the first time since the end of the season.

Captain Harry Kane led the arrivals on Wednesday as the Bayern Munich star returned to England following the conclusion of the Bundesliga campaign, but will soon be back in Germany where Euro 2024 is being hosted.

England's star striker was seen interacting with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as the pair were reunited for the first time since the last set of international friendlies at the start of the year.

Meanwhile it was a completely new experience for several players who have been included in Southgate's squad for the first time, with the England boss set to cut his final selection down to just 26 stars. 

Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton were amongst those getting their first experience of a senior England experience.

Jones had a smile etched across his face as he walked up the steps at the luxury Darlington manner, with Trafford engaging in first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The trio are expected to be given their senior debuts when England take on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in upcoming friendlies next week. 

Southgate wasn't around to greet his players as he usually does when they report for duty at the usual St George's Park training campus, but will be delighted to see there was no evidence of club rivalries on show.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was one player who has enjoyed a mini-break since the end of the Premier League season that saw the Gunners miss out on the top-flight title to Man City on the final day.

The 25-year-old is one of the most popular members of the national team dressing room and was joined by Gunners team-mate Bukayo Saka who was also present on the first day of England training.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer cut a serious look as he arrived dressed in a causal black hoodie and luxury Louis Vuitton rucksack. 

The Blues forward finished second in the Premier League goalscoring charts during his debut season at Stamford Bridge, behind only Erling Haaland and is expected to challenge for a starting spot in Southgate's squad.

Crystal Palace players represent the largest proportion of England stars in the initial squad with four Selhurst Park figures picked by Southgate ahead of the upcoming friendlies.

Defender Marc Guehi is amongst those and posed for pictures alongside a host of his England colleagues including Palace team-mate Eberechi Eze, West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen and Spurs talisman James Maddison.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins arrived already dressed in his England training gear and will be keen to get out on the pitch as he prepares to challenge Brentford goalscorer Ivan Toney for a place in Southgate's final selection.

Anthony Gordon is another player who is likely to have his ticket to Germany at risk, but looked supremely confident as he stepped out of a Rolls Royce and was welcomed by England staff. 

More to follow.