- Gareth Southgate delivered a positive update over the fitness of his squad
- England take on Serbia in their opening Euro 2024 match on Sunday afternoon
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! ‘I wouldn’t touch Nagelsmann with a barge pole!’
Gareth Southgate will make a late call on whether Luke Shaw is fit enough to take his place on England’s bench against Serbia, meaning Kieran Trippier is set to start the tournament opener at left back.
Shaw, 28, has not played since injuring his hamstring in February and only returned to training earlier this week.
He is not ready to start and could yet miss out on a place among the substitutes.
The Manchester United defender also faces a race against time to feature from the off in the second group match versus Denmark on Thursday.
That could mean a prolonged stay in the team for Trippier, who is deputising from right back and has played the position previously for his country.
Southgate, during his pre-match media conference here in Gelsenkirchen, said: ‘We have a decision to make on whether Luke is a possible to use from the bench or not.’
Meanwhile, captain Harry Kane says the new Euro 2024 football – Fussballliebe – benefits attackers over goalkeepers, after Serbia star Dusan Vlahovic called its movement ‘strange’.
Kane said: ‘I like the ball. It is a good ball for strikers, it is quick and when you strike it, it stays hit.
‘I had a different experience in the Bundesliga, and we are experienced with the Adidas ball.
‘For me, personally, it is better for the strikers than the goalkeepers – and I’m not going to complain about that!’
Vlahovic said: ‘It is strange, not that it doesn’t respond, it depends on how you kick it. For now, it listens to me, let it listen to me tomorrow and let it continue.’