Luke Shaw has stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury to provide Gareth Southgate with a key fitness boost ahead of the European Championships.
The Manchester United full back has not played for three months but was still selected in England’s 33 man squad for Euro 2024 last month.
However, there remains doubts over his availability for the tournament, given his injury problem and his long-term inactivity.
But Shaw has now taken a significant step forward in proving his fitness ahead of Southgate naming his final 26 man party for the tournament on Saturday.
Shaw has returned to training on the grass and while he isn’t yet capable of completing full training sessions with the team, his inclusion, in parts, with his teammates’ schedule provides an indicator that he is progressing well.
Luke Shaw is stepping up his fitness in a boost to England ahead of their final Euro 2024 squad selection
The Manchester United full-back has not played a single game since he was injured in March
Gareth Southgate hopes Shaw will be able to prove his fitness ahead of his final selection
It seems likely that even if Shaw is deemed fit enough to make the final cut that his participation in England’s group matches will be minimal.
But if Shaw is deemed fit to play a lead role in the knockout stages, then his presence would come as a huge boost for England given his position as the country’s first choice left back.
England face Iceland in their final warm-up game ahead of flying to Germany at Wembley on Friday.
Harry Kane will return to the starting XI after starting Monday’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on the bench, but Ivan Toney will have an opportunity to book his place in the final squad from the bench.
Manchester City and Manchester United contingent Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Kobbie Mainoo and John Stones will be available after missing the victory at St James’ Park earlier this week.
