Shaw looks like a gamble that won't pay off for Southgate

WHEN the England medical team decided Luke Shaw was worth a spot in the 26-man squad for Euro 2024 it was Thursday, June 20, that was circled in pencil.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

The second group game against Denmark was earmarked as a potential return date for the only natural left-back in Gareth Southgate's squad.

Instead, that game passed by with Shaw once again not fit enough to be involved on a matchday and on

Friday he continued to train away from the main group. Having not played for four months and still not returned to full training, it is difficult to see how he is considered fit enough to feature against Slovenia on Tuesday.

That is a problem for England, who are in desperate need of some balance on that flank. You can understand why Southgate wanted to take the gamble on Shaw but it's a decision that doesn't look like it's going to pay off.