Manchester United star issues injury update after four months out as Erik ten Hag proven right

Luke Shaw has declared he will be fit enough to feature for England when they face Slovakia in the last-16 of the European Championship this weekend.

The Manchester United defender has been sidelined for over four months after he suffered a hamstring injury in their 2-1 victory over Luton Town in mid-February.

Gareth Southgate considered Shaw a 'gamble' worth taking to the tournament given his expertise in the left-back role, but the England manager was heavily criticised for not taking another specialist in the position to Germany. Southgate hoped the United star could be an option from the bench in the second group match against Denmark, although Erik ten Hag correctly predicted he would not be available for the group stage.

Kieran Trippier started at left-back for England across all three of their group matches but could now lose his starting place with Shaw expecting to return this weekend. Asked when he would return as he left the stadium in Cologne after the Slovenia stalemate on Tuesday night, Shaw told reporters: “next game."

The 28-year-old has followed a bespoke training programme during the Euro 2024 tournament as England coaches look to ease him back to fitness ahead of the most pivotal matches of the competition.

After such a long spell on the side lines it would be no surprise if he starts on the bench against Slovakia on Sunday with a view to being introduced from the bench depending on how the match is going.