Manchester United star Luke Shaw has dropped a teasing update on when he is likely to play for England at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
Gareth Southgate took the risky decision to include Luke Shaw in his 26-man England squad, despite the Manchester United defender recovering from injury.
Shaw missed the second half of the 2023-24 campaign due to injury, with the England left-back managing only 15 appearances for United last season.
England manager Gareth Southgate has previously spoken highly of Shaw and the influence that the United full-back offers down the left flank
Shaw is the only specialist left-back included in England’s Euro 2024 squad, with the United defender missing the Three Lions’ first three matches at the tournament.
The 28-year-old United star made the bench for the Group C opener against Serbia, but Shaw was an unused substitute for the 1-0 win for England.
Shaw subsequently failed to make the squad for the 1-1 draw against Denmark before he was on the bench again for the 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
Man Utd star Shaw talks England update
Gareth Southgate has been forced to deploy Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier at left-back for the three Group C matches amid Luke Shaw’s absence.
Shaw had been on a personalised individual training programme in the England camp after he linked up with his Three Lions teammates in Germany.
However, Southgate received a major boost earlier this week after England international Shaw made his return to full training.
England have reached the knockout stages of the tournament after they topped Group C following their lacklustre 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday.
According to The Guardian, Shaw was asked about when his England return would be likely as he left the stadium in Cologne after the Slovenia match.
“Next game,” he responded.
Southgate’s decision on Shaw criticised
England will face Slovakia in the round of 16 on Sunday, with Southgate hopeful that Shaw will finally be ready to feature for England at the tournament.
However, BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton was baffled by the decision that Southgate made to take Shaw to this summer’s Euros in the first place.
“I find the whole Luke Shaw situation baffling,” he told the Metro.
“Southgate talked about it being a gamble and that he may be fit for later on in the tournament, but England so clearly lack balance down that side.
“That looks like a gamble, which has gone wrong at this moment in time because you need balance for the here and now.
“And even if Shaw does come back in the next few games, he doesn’t have a great record of staying fit. So even when he does play, how fit is he going to be?
“I do think that’s an issue. I think England, you know, anybody can see that black balance down that side and it’s going to harm their chances in this tournament.”