LUKE SHAW will not be available when England face Denmark in their second group game at Euro 2024 tomorrow, with Kieran Trippier set to continue at left-back.
Having beaten Serbia in their opening game of the tournament at the weekend, England will guarantee themselves a place in the last-16 if they beat Serbia in Frankfurt tomorrow.
They will have to do so without Shaw, who trained away from England’s main group yesterday and has not been considered for a starting spot.
The Manchester United full-back has been sidelined with a muscular injury since February, but Southgate insists his recovery remains on track and defended his decision to name him in the squad.
“Luke won’t be involved tomorrow,” said Southgate. “He’s on track for what we thought originally. He needs a bit more work. There are days when he needs to do more than the rest and needs to recover. He’s still in and out with the others and operating on his own programme as well.
“Luke is obviously an outstanding player. That’s why we’ve taken the decision to bring him although he’s not played for so long. I don’t want to put a timeline on it right at this moment.
“He’s progressing well. The balance he gives, the drive he gives, whoever plays with him down that side of the pitch he gives a different outlet. We’re adapting to not having him and having to find a different way.”
When England last faced Denmark, they beat them in extra-time in the semi-finals of Euro 2020, and Southgate is expecting another tough test tomorrow.
“We know we have good players,” said the England boss. “We know we can play better than the other day (against Serbia). But I thought the players, in an incredibly pressurised moment, started exceptionally well and defended brilliantly throughout the whole game.
“I think they’ll be better for having a game under their belt. Emotionally there’s so much tension I don’t think people can really understand what it is like for young players. We are pleased to have got a result from that and we know we have to be good tomorrow.”
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