England are preparing for their final Euro 2024 group-stage fixture, with the Three Lions facing Slovenia in a crucial showdown on Tuesday. However, the continental giants have received a huge blow ahead of that match as one key player looks set to miss that tie.
That man is Luke Shaw, England's only natural left-back who is yet to return from injury. Despite this, the Manchester United ace was called up to the final 26-man squad with the hope of returning in time for the knockout stage.
However, the 28-year-old missed his nation's latest training session, with reports out of the United Kingdom now suggesting he is unlikely to feature in this tournament.
"It's difficult for me to see him playing any part in the tournament"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 22, 2024
Rob Dorsett on Luke Shaw missing England training ahead of their final group stage game at Euro 2024 pic.twitter.com/Wa04UsFMB4
Luke Shaw has missed another England training session and remains a huge doubt to feature in #EURo2024 as per reports pic.twitter.com/nGd7rDCaIV
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 22, 2024
Luke Shaw not training with the #ENG squad again. Working indoors again. #EURo2024
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 22, 2024
According to the Telegraph, Southgate planned on using Shaw in England's third and final group-stage fixture to gain fitness ahead of the round of 16. However, the former Southampton man trained indoors on Friday, meaning this is unlikely to happen.
In his absence, Newcastle ace Kieran Trippier has deputized. However, the St. James' Park defender is a right-footed right-back and has thus struggled to offer an offensive threat on the left.
Shaw has been injured for more than four months due to a hamstring injury, with his last appearance coming on February 18.
Southgate's men enter their upcoming clash with Slovenia on the back of their frustrating 1-1 draw with Denmark and while Harry Kane and Co. remain top of the table, things could drastically change should they lose on Tuesday.
The Euro 2020 runners-up are unbeaten with four points while their two closest rivals Denmark and Slovenia are tied on two points. However, if England lose to Sesko and Co. on Tuesday and the Danish beat Serbia that same day, Southgate's men will drop to third in the standings.
This should not eliminate the Three Lions from the competition but it could land them a tricky round of 16 tie against Portugal — a showdown with Group A winners, which will likely be Germany, awaits if England finish second in Group C.