Entire England squad train ahead of Slovakia clash in huge Euros boost but Southgate has Plan B amid Trippier fears
ENGLAND’S full squad were out training this morning – but Gareth Southgate is said to have a Plan B regarding Kieran Trippier’s fitness worries.
The Three Lions are preparing for the Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
The Three Lions were held to a stalemate by Slovenia on Tuesday but still managed to claim top spot in Group C.
That was after they initially struggled to a 1-0 win over Serbia before last week’s dour 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Luke Shaw has now returned to full training after being sidelined throughout the whole group stage.
He continued his return by joining the rest of his team-mates once again for their final training session before taking on Slovakia.
However, the 28-year-old left-back is not ready to start, meaning that right-footed Trippier looked set to continue filling in for him.
But the 33-year-old Newcastle ace is having his own injury issue and is said to have missed training on Friday due to a calf problem that he battled through to face Slovenia.
Fortunately, there was relief to see him involved in this morning’s session.
However, it has been widely-reported that Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, 26, will deputise as makeshift left-back if needed.
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He is also naturally right-footed but looks likely to get the nod instead of Joe Gomez, who has deputised there for Liverpool last term, tomorrow.
Konsa has four caps for England after making his debut against Brazil in March but is yet to feature so far out in Germany.
England’s attack has been destabilised and looked out of sorts without a natural left-footer at full-back, even though Trippier’s defensive abilities have been on full display.
Both Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham were both spotted venting their frustrations at Trippier after he failed to pass to them down that side last time out.
Meanwhile, Trippier was not the only worry for England this week after Declan Rice also did not train with his colleagues on Thursday.
But he was also out on the field today as Southgate looked to put the finishing touches to his plans to help seal a spot in the quarters.
And Foden was also back in training as well with the squad.
The Manchester City star, 24, returned to the UK this week after the last match.
He and his partner Rebecca Cooke, welcomed their third child on Thursday.
Foden left the Three Lions camp on Wednesday to be there for the birth of his third child but was back with the team on Thursday.
He has started all three of England’s matches at Euro 2024 but is yet to score.