Luke Shaw has given England a major fitness boost ahead of Euro 2024.
Manchester United full back Shaw was a major doubt for the tournament because of a hamstring injury which has kept him out of action since February. But Shaw has been back “on the grass” and on the training pitch for the past two days while also taking part in team training exercises.
Shaw has not been put through full-on sessions, but his involvement represents a major boost in his recovery from injury. It will be a major boost for England boss Gareth Southgate who has given positive updates on Shaw and said, ahead of Monday’s friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, that Shaw was “progressing well.”
Southgate initially described the 28-year-old’s chance of making the tournament as a “long shot” when naming him in his 33-man training squad.
Southgate must trim that to 26 names and submit a final travelling party to UEFA by 11pm on Friday - and Shaw will be hoping to make the cut despite his lack of playing time.
Southgate said being able to choose 26 players rather than 23 allows some risk in taking injured players and Shaw’s United teammate, Harry Maguire, remains a doubt for the opening game with Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16.
Kieran Trippier played as a left-back against Bosnia and Southgate. Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez are potential replacements, but Shaw is a key player and if there was a chance of thin making the knock-out stages then England would probably name him.
Maguire and Kyle Walker both recovered from injury to feature in the final group matches at Euro 2020 and the World Cup in Qatar respectively. England’s final Group C game is against Slovenia in Cologne on June 25 which gives Shaw three more weeks to continue his rehabilitation.
Shaw suffered the hamstring issue for a fitness during a win over Luton Town on February 18. He missed the last 17 matches of United’s season, including the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. Maguire also sat out the end of the campaign through injury.
Whether to take long-serving defenders Maguire and Shaw is a big decision as the pair recover from their respective muscle injuries, so too how best to fill attacking slots.
Jack Grealish’s place has come under pressure during a frustrating season at Manchester City, but he produced a lively performance off the bench against Bosnia having linked up with England early.
“There’s 33 who are desperate to be involved and we know the qualities that he has and absolutely what he’s capable of doing,” Southgate said this week. “That’s not in any question. As I said (before), he’s a player that we love having with the group and, for us, he’s a great character to work with.”
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