Gareth Southgate provides Luke Shaw fitness update ahead of England's Euro 2024 semi-final against Netherlands
England manager Gareth Southgate has offered a fitness update on Luke Shaw ahead of the Euro 2024 semifinal clash with the Netherlands on July 10. The Manchester United fullback has been laid low by injury for months. He made a return to action for the Three Lions late in their quarter-final win against Switzerland.
About the possibility of the left back making a return to the starting XI, Southgate said(via Metro):
"Luke Shaw has been injured for four months, it wasn’t a possibility for him to play until the last match where he made a good contribution to the game.
"We have to decide if he is ready to start and whether that is the best way to use him but we are very happy to have him back."
He concluded by applauding right-back Kieran Trippier who filled in diligently at left back in Shaw's absence saying:
"He gives us a different balance to the team, but Kieran Trippier has done a fantastic job. He has had many important nights with us over the last seven or eight years."
"He’s great around the squad, how he is with the rest of the players and the staff, and we are very fortunate to have players like him in our squad."
England will hope to make the most of the returning Luke Shaw in their upcoming Euro 2024 clash with the Dutch. They hope to lift the European Championships for the first time on July 14 in Berlin.
England set to face the Netherlands in Euro 2024 semifinal
England head to the semifinals of Euro 2024 where they will face the Netherlands in Dortmund after defeating Switzerland on penalties in the quarterfinals. The clash could see the return of Luke Shaw to the starting lineup after his appearance as a substitute against the Swiss.
The Three Lions play in their third semi-final in four tournaments at the BVB stadium. They are one win away from becoming the first England team to reach consecutive finals at the Euros. Southgate will be keen to secure victory against the Dutch and leave his team with one match to better their effort at Euro 2020.
The Netherlands will not be easy opponents to face, though. Oranje showed their determination during their 2-1 victory over a tricky Turkiye side in the quarterfinals.
The game in Dortmund promises to be intriguing, with a place in the final at Euro 2024 on the line for either team. England and the Netherlands will know what is at stake with both nations keen to end their lengthy trophy droughts in Berlin. The winner will face either Spain or France in the final.