Injury cleared! Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw available for England’s knockout push
England are preparing for their round of sixteen clash later today as they are scheduled to face Slovakia at Gelsenkirchen as Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw returns to training ahead of the game, which comes as a massive boost for Gareth Southgate’s squad.
The former Southampton full-back has been suffering from a standing hamstring problem, which has kept him on the sidelines for some time now and has been sorely missed by his club and country throughout the season. The Three Lions gaffer has been widely criticized for taking a player struggling with injury to such a massive tournament, especially following the damped performances that England have been putting in in the group stages.
Despite the inconsistent showings on the pitch, Southgate’s squad has been firm on the defensive side of the game, conceding only once in three games and allowing the least expected goals of all teams participating in the finals. Newcastle United ace Kieran Trippier has been playing in a makeshift left-back role in the group stages and is expected to start in the position today as well.
Originally a right-back with a preferred right foot, the former Tottenham Hotspur defender is forced to play on the inside from the left-back position and cannot offer a genuine threat on the overlaps. This is where Shaw’s availability, even if from the bench, can boost England’s attacking sequences and bring a much-needed balance to that left flank. His presence helps to ascertain that there is a reliable presence, both defensively and in supporting the attack.
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That being said, Kieran Trippier hasn’t been short of fantastic adapting to the left-back role and has shown his versatile profile and technical intelligence at the European Championships.
Following the lack of minutes for Manchester United and a no-show in the group-stage games for England, any sort of appearance for Shaw tonight will be a big boost for England.
