Luke Shaw has handed England a major fitness boost for Euro 2024 after declaring himself ready for the last 16 clash against Slovakia.
Shaw has not played any football since February when he suffered a hamstring injury – one of a clutch of issues that largely derailed his 2023-24 campaign with Manchester United.
Having been one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted players in an England shirt, he was included in the final squad despite major concerns over his fitness, not playing a single minute of the group campaign.
The 28-year-old has been working on an individual training programme out in Germany but rejoined the first-team in training this week and was included on the substitutes bench for the final group game against Slovenia.
Kieran Trippier, a right-back by trade, has deputised on the left so far at the Euros but has also been dealing with a calf problem by his own.
But Shaw now appears to be in contention to make his return on Sunday evening. Asked when he will be ready to play on Tuesday night, he told reporters: ‘Next game’.
Shaw, who scored in the last Euros final against Italy at Wembley, was limited to just 15 starts for United last season.
Elsewhere, Southgate faces other selection dilemmas with calls growing for Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon to be handed starting roles.
United sensation Mainoo came on at half-time to replace Conor Gallagher against Slovenia on Tuesday with Palmer introduced after 70 minutes to replace Bukayo Saka.
Both impressed, offering England some much-needed poise and creativity with Gordon also making an impact despite not coming off the bench until the 89th minute.
So far in Germany, Southgate has made just one change to his starting XI across those three group games against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, with Trent Alexander-Arnold dropping out for Gallagher this week.
Elsewhere, Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp to attend to a ‘pressing family matter’ – thought to be the birth of his third child back in England.
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