Newcastle United player Kieran Trippier is waiting to discover if he will start for England again on Thursday night.
After kicking their Euro 2024 campaign off with a 1-0 win over Serbia, England are now preparing to face Denmark in their second group game. If they are victorious, it will mean they advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
England’s opening game was tough, and it has led to a lot of debate about Gareth Southgate’s team selection. Pundits such as Alan Shearer have suggested that Anthony Gordon should come into the side, with the Newcastle winger left on the bench against Serbia.
Kieran Trippier started at left-back against Serbia
As for Kieran Trippier, his role in this England team has also been debated. The 33-year-old is having to play at left-back, and was solid enough on Sunday night. But the fact he was playing out of position did limit England’s ability to attack down that flank, leading to hope that Luke Shaw would soon be fit.
The Manchester United defender is the only natural left-back in the England squad for the Euros, but has not played since February due to injury.
And the latest update from the England camp suggests that Shaw is still not ready to return.
Update on England’s left-back situation ahead of facing Denmark
Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett has provided an update from England’s training session on Wednesday, confirming that Shaw was the only player not to take part in the session.
“25 of the 26 man squad are out there on the grass today,” he said.
“Luke Shaw is not training today with England. There are no particular concerns over any new injury problems that he’s got. But he is carrying out his own fitness regime as he tries to fit again. He hasn’t played any football since the middle of February.
“You have to say that, as we expected, Luke Shaw is very, very unlikely to start the game against Denmark.”
Southgate will put his trust in Newcastle defender once again
With no sign of Shaw in training, there is almost certainly no way that he is going to start against Denmark.
That means that Trippier will continue at left-back – unless Southgate throws a curveball and drafts in Joe Gomez to play there. But that would provide the same problems, as he is also right-footed.
Playing Trippier on the left of defence has obvious issues, but it is needs must. Southgate made the decision not to bring another proper left-back, which clearly implies that he fully trusts the Newcastle leader in that position.
One thing that would help Trippier is having a proper winger in front of him. While Phil Foden is immensely talented, he is wasted on the left. That is perhaps why Southgate should consider bringing in Anthony Gordon, who would provide better width and give Trippier that extra bit of support.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but it does look almost certain that at least one Newcastle player will start for England against Denmark in Kieran Trippier.
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