Euro 2024

Euro 2024: England handed major fitness boost ahead of last 16 tie with Slovakia

By Devesh Jaganath | 29 June 2024

Gareth Southgate handed major fitness boost

England manager Gareth Southgate received a significant boost today as all 26 players in his squad participated in this morning's training session.

Following a two-day break, the last 16 kicks off this evening with Switzerland taking on defending champions Italy before tournament hosts Germany face off against Denmark later tonight.

The Three Lions will be in action on Sunday evening when they go toe-to-toe with Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen.

England have been far from convincing up to this stage in the competition and had to make do without a recognised left-back during the group stage while Luke Shaw was recovering from injury.

England's Luke Shaw pictured in June 2024 © Reuters

Luke Shaw back in training for England

Southgate's 'calculated risk' to include the Manchester United full-back in the squad may yet pay off, as the England manager saw Shaw round out a full squad in training this morning.

Still, it remains to be seen if the England boss opts to toss the 28-year-old directly back into the starting 11 given that he has not played a competitive minute for club or country in five months.

In Shaw's absence, Kieran Trippier filled in at left-back, but he, along with Declan Rice, had trained away from the main group on Friday in an attempt to manage their workloads.

This had raised fitness concerns, especially for Trippier, who has been dealing with a calf problem in recent weeks, though both players were also spotted on the training pitch this morning.

Without a natural alternative in the left-back position, Ezri Konsa is thought to be lined up as Trippier's replacement if the Newcastle United man is unable to feature.

Bukayo Saka, who has played in defence in the past, publicly ruled himself out of playing at left-back against Slovakia.

England s Kobbie Mainoo (left) during a training session on June 28, 2024 © Imago

Mainoo set for first major tournament start?

Further upfield, Kobbie Mainoo could get a starting 11 spot in midfield following the Three Lions' underwhelming group-stage performance.

Should the Man United teenager feature, it will make him the third midfielder to partner Rice in this tournament after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher.

Manchester City attacker Phil Foden rejoined England's training camp on Thursday night after attending the birth of his third child.

Foden flew back to England immediately after Tuesday's draw against Slovenia to be with his family.

If England win the match against Slovakia on Sunday, they will move on to the quarter-final, where they will meet either Italy or Switzerland on July 6.