Luke Shaw was still absent from England training on Wednesday in a major blow to Gareth Southgate.
Man United defender Shaw hasn’t played since February due to a hamstring injury, but he was still picked by Southgate in the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 squad.
The 28-year-old is the only recognised left back in the group and had been tipped to return against Denmark on Thursday.
However, given the fact he is still not training with his team-mates just over 24 hours out from the clash against the Danes, Shaw is pretty much certain not to play and it raises big questions over his fitness for the tournament.
Instead of joining team training on Wednesday, Shaw was continuing to follow an individual programme elsewhere.
Luke Shaw was still absent from England training on Wednesday in a blow to Gareth Southgate
Shaw’s absence raises major questions about his fitness for the rest of the tournament
While his team-mate trained, Shaw continued to follow an individual programme elsewhere
Shaw is almost certain not to play in the Three Lions’ game against Denmark on Thursday
It comes after Shaw did not take part in training alongside England’s non-playing squad members on Monday following the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.
However, the left back did join his team-mates for certain sessions last week and will continue to be monitored by staff.
Speaking ahead of the game with Serbia, Southgate had given a positive fitness update on Shaw as he said: ‘Everyone is available.
‘We have a decision whether Luke [Shaw] is possible to use from the bench or not. But everybody has trained today and is available.’
Meanwhile, Mail Sport reported last week how it was unlikely the United defender would be available to play against Serbia but if all went according to plan, it was thought he could be named in the squad to face Denmark.
Yet his absence on Wednesday is the latest defensive injury blow to Southgate.
Harry Maguire, who has been an ever-present for the Three Lions under Southgate, could not prove his fitness for the tournament after failing to recover from a calf injury in time.
The Man United defender hasn’t played since February, but joined in some sessions last week
Shaw’s setback is the latest defensive injury headache for Southgate at the tournament
Southgate had provided a positive fitness update on the left back ahead of the Serbia match
Lewis Dunk and John Stones both then picked up knocks, before Stones was forced to miss training last week due to a sickness bug.
In Shaw’s place, Kieran Trippier filled in at left back against Serbia and is now expected to continue in that role against Denmark.
Shaw has won 31 caps for England since his debut in 2014 and scored the opening goal in England’s defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
However, he has been hampered by injuries over the past year as he featured just 12 times for United in the Premier League last season.
