Gareth Southgate has insisted that Kieran Trippier only suffered from cramp late on in England’s win over Serbia.
The Newcastle defender, who normally plays at right-back, started on the left of their defence in their opening 1-0 victory at Euro 2024 with resources limited for the Three Lions in that position.
Trippier was selected ahead of Luke Shaw given his lack of fitness for much of the season at Manchester United, but suffered a late scare.
He sat on the pitch and called for medical assistance but was able to play on until full time as England saw out the result.
Fans may still have had concerns but they now look set to disappear as Southgate delivered positive news on his fitness.
“Just a bit of cramp really,” he told talkSPORT after the match when asked about how Trippier was.
“I mean, that’s his first 90 minutes in months and to play the way he did just shows what an incredible character he is for us.”
Trippier appeared alongside Marc Guehi, John Stones and Kyle Walker in an England defence that was tested on occasions by Serbia.
Fortunately for Southgate and co. though, they responded well and were on hand to help Jordan Pickford keep a clean sheet.
The difference between the two sides came in the 13th minute when Jude Bellingham headed England in front as he connected with Bukayo Saka’s cross from the right.
Harry Kane could very well have scored the Three Lions’ second late on in the second-half but his effort was well saved onto the crossbar.
Serbia didn’t back down and applied pressure in the closing stages in the hopes of scoring a late equaliser, but to no avail.
England emerged victorious at the full-time whistle and now sit top of Group C following Slovenia and Denmark’s 1-1 draw earlier on.
The latter are their next opposition on Thursday, live on talkSPORT, and another win would send them through to the knockout stage of Euro 2024.