Gareth Southgate confirms that Luke Shaw will NOT be involved in England's crucial clash with Slovenia, after full back returned to Three Lions training on the eve of Euro 2024 tie

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Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Luke Shaw will not feature in England's crucial group stage clash with Slovenia at Euro 2024. 

The Three Lions were handed a major boost as the full back took part in first team training on Monday, having struggled with a hamstring injury.

That injury had kept Shaw out of action for his club side since February and Gareth Southgate's decision to call him up after four months without match action took many people by surprise. 

The England boss had previously claimed he's hopeful Shaw can be of use at the the tournament in Germany but confirmed that would not be against Slovenia. 

Speaking at his press conference on Monday, Southgate said: 'Luke's the only one that's not really available. 

Luke Shaw handed England a major boost after returning to first team training on Monday 

However, Gareth Southgate confirmed the defender will not be available to take on Slovenia

'He'll possibly change with the team tomorrow but he's not quite ready to be involved in the game yet.'

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Shaw - who has 31 senior international caps to his name - is the only specialist left back in England's squad. Newcastle right back Kieran Trippier started there in the recent games against Serbia and Denmark. 

However, Newcastle's Trippier has been carrying a calf issue and may be rested for the clash at the Cologne Stadium. 

Sources claim Southgate had hoped to substitute Trippier in one of the first two group games to rest the 33-year-old.

But England’s uninspiring start has meant that Trippier - one of England’s most experienced players - has had to stay on the field.

Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez will be in line to replace Trippier if Southgate chooses to rotate him on Tuesday.

Shaw (right) took part in an England team training session for the first time at the Euros

If England beat Slovenia and finish top of Group C then they will likely next be in action on June 30.

As group winners, the Three Lions are expected to play one of the best third-placed finishers from Groups D, E or F.

Currently the teams in those positions are Austria, Czech Republic or Slovakia, yet this could all change in the final round of group fixtures. 

If England were to finish second, they would be drawn against Germany in the last-16 stage.