England handed huge injury headache as key star misses training before Slovakia clash

Gareth Southgate faces a major tactical headache for Sunday's Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Slovakia as right-back Kieran Trippier missed training through injury.

Trippier has been filling in on the left side of England's defence this summer in the absence of Luke Shaw, who is the only natural left-back in the squad but has not played since February after suffering a calf injury.

According to Sky Sports News, Trippier is now a huge doubt to feature against Slovakia after a flare-up of an existing calf injury forced him to miss England training on Friday.

England are believed to be hopeful that Trippier will be fit enough to face Slovakia but plans are already being made in case a replacement is needed.

Southgate is expected to turn to Ezri Konsa, a right-footed centre-back, to replace Trippier on the left side of England's defence if the Newcastle United man cannot recover in time.

Shaw has publicly insisted he hopes to make his long-awaited return from injury against Slovakia but, after nearly five months on the sidelines, he is not expected to play significant minutes even if he is healthy enough to feature.

The versatile Joe Gomez, who helped Liverpool cover for injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas last season, is also an option for Southgate if he needs more options.

One player who is not keen on helping out, however, is Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka. Having seen several pundits call for him to return to the left-back position in which he made his senior breakthrough, Saka insisted such a move would not be the solution to England's problems.

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