Southgate selection dilemmas in focus

TALKING POINTS AHEAD OF LAST-16 SHOWDOWN

- MARK MANN-BRYANS

GARETH Southgate has been heavily criticised throughout England's group games.

Despite topping Group C and setting up a last-16 clash with Slovakia tomorrow, fans, pundits and former players have questioned Southgate's tactics and starting line-ups. Here, the PA news agency looks at the selection dilemmas the England manager faces.

A Shaw thing at left-back?

Southgate opted to select Luke Shaw as the only natural left-back in his 26-man squad, despite the fact the Manchester United defender has not played since a hamstring injury in February. Shaw is now back training with his team-mates and his return could be timely, especially with fitness concerns over Kieran Trippier.

If neither can face Slovakia, Southgate will have to choose between Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa to fill the gap or move Kyle Walker across from rightback. He could even take the radical step of dropping Bukayo Saka out of his attack and into a position he has not operated in for years.