Gareth Southgate says he is weighing up whether to throw fit-again Luke Shaw straight into the England XI to face Switzerland.
The Man United left-back has not played since limping off in the Premier League game against Luton on February 18.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed Luke Shaw is available to start for England against Switzerland tomorrow.
It'd be his first game since February, should he start? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/5tsGVH2pLw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 5, 2024
His inclusion in the squad raised eyebrows but he has worked his way back to join training in recent days and with England employing right-footed Kieran Tripper on the left of defence, there have been calls for him to be thrown in to provide natural width when England face Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday (5pm BST).
“He is a potential starter,” Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Obviously there is a decision to be made there given how long he has been out, but he has progressed really well.
“He is very happy and it’s great it’s been quite a lonely road for him.
“You know [when] you come to a tournament you want to participate, but his application to get himself into this position has been brilliant.”
Southgate claimed it was ‘common sense’ that Jude Bellingham avoided a ban for a gesture after his match-saving goal against Slovakia and also claimed the fact the last-eight clash was his 100th in charge of England was ‘one I am very proud of, but it’s the least important statistic of the week.’
England have reached the quarter-finals at four straight tournaments under the former Middlesbrough boss, and he hopes their experience will stand them in good stead after a below-par showing in their opening four matches in Germany this summer.
“I think the biggest thing is our mentality,” he said. “You know, we are not satisfied at being in a quarter final and maybe six or seven years ago that would have been a little bit different.
“Now we have got experiences of these big games, doesn’t mean you win them, but it means you know how to prepare for them.
“It means the desire is to go further and I think that does affect your mindset as a team, there is no question about that.”
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Extremely difficult test
Switzerland were seconds away from beating Germany to top Group A and then outclassed defending champions Italy in the Round of 16, and Southgate admitted: “We know we play a very organised opponent who are in good form.
“They made short work of Italy, you would have to say and so it is going to be an extremely difficult test, but one we believe we can win.”
England needed a 95th minute equaliser from Bellingham to force extra-time in their last-16 clash with Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday and Southgate claimed: “There is no question that showing that sort of resilience and spirit is crucial in tournaments.
Luke Shaw in training today 🤙🏽 pic.twitter.com/cm7ZBUbFyx
— Amy (@teamshaw_23) July 4, 2024
“I think watching the game back, we had complete control of the second half especially and a little bit more control of the first than I thought during the game.
“What I was so pleased with was the players showed great character to keep playing in the right way.
“They kept trying to do the right thing, not forcing passes, trying to create good openings and in the end, it was late, but I think we definitely deserved a draw from the 90 minutes.”
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Three at the back
With Marc Guehi missing the Switzerland tie through suspension, Ezri Konsa has been reported to be favourite to come in and form a back-three for England.
Southgate admitted: “That is always an option – an option we have been hammered for, for the last two years for using. It’s interesting that people think it’s the way we should go now.”
Nomatter which system they employ, Southgate insists England are ready, adding: “The players have got great focus, as they have had through the whole tournament.
“But of course, their excitement builds, they are two games away from a final. It’s ten days, we were talking about this 45 days ago when we first met and that starts to become more of a reality.
“However, it is also a million miles away at the same time because, as we saw the other night, the games can take you in any direction.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity again and we are looking forward to the evening.”
