Gareth Southgate provides fitness update on key England star ahead of their Euro 2024 clash against Denmark
England manager Gareth Southgate has stated that left-back Luke Shaw won't feature in their second game at Euro 2024 against Denmark on Thursday, June 20. The Three Lions were without the Manchester United man in their opener against Serbia, and he has not trained with the side since.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag stated last week that Shaw will not participate in the entire group phase of Euro 2024 due to his hamstring injury. The left-back was named on the bench for the game against Serbia, but he was not fit enough to take part at all, having last played a game in February.
Gareth Southgate spoke to the press ahead of his side's game against Denmark on Thursday, where he expressed his hopes of having the defender back as soon as possible. He also stated that the Manchester United man will not feature against Denmark and that he is still in individual training.
"Luke won’t be involved tomorrow. He’s actually on track for where we thought he would be originally. We were hoping a couple of days ago he might accelerate that bit but he needs a bit more volume work."
"He didn’t train with group today because there are days when he needs to do more than the rest of the group and days when he needs to recover when the others are pushing. He is still in and out from the others but operating on his own programme as well," Southgate said.
Luke Shaw is the only natural left-back in the England squad for Euro 2024, and Newcastle United man Kieran Tripper has been deputizing in his absence. Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, a centre-back by trade, also played in the position during their preparation for the Euros.
The Three Lions will hope to have Shaw back for their final group game against Slovenia.
England legend advises Gareth Southgate to make tactical change for Denmark game
England legend Alan Shearer wants manager Gareth Southgate to make a tactical switch in midfield to maximize the output of his squad. The pundit spoke on Betfair, where he said that the manager ought to play Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden elsewhere.
"I would play Bellingham alongside Rice and Foden as the 10, which is where he wants to play. I don't think that would be a problem at all, you're playing Bellingham with Rice so you free up that left side for someone who can run in behind, whether that would be Eze or Gordon. That's what I would have done and that's what I'd do against Denmark," Shearer said.
England were unconvincing in their opening day win over Serbia, with Bellingham bailing them out with a fine header. The Three Lions will look to seal a place in the last 16 when they face Denmark on Thursday.