Gareth Southgate reveals surprise update on Luke Shaw ahead of Euro 2024
- Luke Shaw could play at Euro 2024 despite injury concern admits Gareth Southgate
- Man Utd star the only natural left-back option in England's provisional squad
- Shaw has not played since February due to muscle problem
By Sean Walsh
England head coach Gareth Southgate has admitted there is a 'good chance' that Luke Shaw will be fit enough to play at Euro 2024.
Shaw has not played competitive football since February having suffered a muscle injury with Manchester United.
He was named in the Three Lions' provisional 33-player squad for this summer's European Championships as the only natural left-back, though Southgate admitted at the time he was facing a race against time to prove his fitness.
But in a fresh update, Southgate said Shaw's chances of making the final 26-player squad have been greatly boosted after taking excellent strides in his recovery.
"He's progressing very well, I have to say," Southgate said of Shaw. "I think I said last week that until we had the players in front of us working with us, there was a lot of information that we didn't have.
"We're pleased with how he's progressing. There's still a bit to do before he can get on the pitch in a game situation.
"But really pleased with the work he's doing with our physical performance team and our medics, so, yeah, he's in with a good chance."
When asked if Shaw could go to Euro 2024 even if not fully fit, Southgate replied: "That's the thing we have to work out because, of course, if he's not ready for the first couple of game there's a chance he could break down further down the line.
"You've got to make sure you've got enough cover in that situation as well, so there is a bit of a numbers game for us to play over the next few days.
"OK, how many do we need in each position? We've got to cover ourselves.
"Clearly, he's a specialist left-back that's an incredibly high-level player as well, so you're more likely to take a chance on a player that's been a regular starter that we think can really add to the starting XI.
"But there's a knock-on, there's an impact to all of those decisions and that's why we've got to look at the full picture and not just each individual."
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