"He’s available to start" - Gareth Southgate provides huge injury update on England star ahead of EURO 2024 clash vs Switzerland
England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that left-back Luke Shaw is available for their UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final clash against Switzerland. The two sides will face off at the Merkur Spiel Arena in Dusseldorf on Saturday, July 6.
Shaw had major injury issues with Manchester United last season as he made just 15 appearances across competitions. He was still included in the Three Lions' Euro 2024 squad as the only recognised left-back. He didn't feature in their first games due to fitness issues and Kieran Trippier deputized for him.
However, ahead of England's quarter-final clash against Switzerland, Southgate has confirmed that Shaw is fit. He also heaped praise on Trippier, saying (via Metro):
"Kieran Trippier has been absolutely outstanding for us. Luke is available he’s available to start but Kieran has also done a brilliant job for the team. He obviously doesn’t give us the balance that a natural left-footer gives you but his leadership, his communication, his talking – just ask the players he plays with – is phenomenal and it helps them to play the game.
He added:
"It’s a much under-valued quality and a bit of a dying art I think. You can’t have enough good talkers on the pitch and he has exceptional quality in that area as well as quality on the ball. He’s adapted and done a brilliant, brilliant job for us."
England's performances have been heavily criticised at EURO 2024, with one of the criticisms being the lack of width on the left side. Southgate has preferred to play Phil Foden up top with Trippier, which has resulted in both players coming in and not holding the flanks.
A look at England's route to EURO 2024 quarter-finals
The Three Lions were one of the favorites to win the trophy coming into the tournament. They reached the final in the least edition but lost to Italy on penalties. However, despite their results, their performances have been far from convincing.
England beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening fixture courtesy of a Jude Bellingham goal. They then played out a 1-1 draw against Denmark, with Harry Kane and Morten Hjulmand scoring for their respective sides. They then played out a goalless draw against Slovenia to top Group C.
In the Round of 16, they fell 1-0 behind against Slovakia via a 25th-minute goal from Ivan Schranz. Just when it felt like their journey at EURO 2024 was over, Bellingham scored a brilliant overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Kane then scored the winner in the first minute of extra time to secure a 2-1 win for England.