MX23RW : Saturday, March 29 14:46:41| >> :600:161884:161884:

England handed Euro 2024 injury concern as Pickford 'holds shoulder' in training

Good and bad news: England fitness update as Three Lions prepare for Slovenia
© Reuters
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford appears to hurt himself during Monday's training session, but Luke Shaw returns ahead of Tuesday's clash with Slovenia.

England manager Gareth Southgate may have been handed a new injury scare over goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ahead of Tuesday's crunch Euro 2024 Group C clash with Slovenia in Cologne.

On the back of their 1-0 victory over Serbia on the opening matchday and 1-1 draw with Denmark last Thursday, the Three Lions are as good as through to the last 16 of the tournament thanks to their four-point total.

Two points clear of both Denmark and Slovenia at the summit, the Three Lions will qualify for the knockout stages in first place if they can better the Danes' result, and even a third-placed finish should be enough to see them qualify owing to their points tally.

As is customary, England opened up their training session to the media on Monday morning, where according to BBC Sport, first-choice goalkeeper Pickford appeared to hurt his shoulder after making a save.

The outlet claims that the Everton man jumped up and held his joint before Aaron Ramsdale took over in between the posts, although he did not appear to have sustained a severe problem.

Pickford will be assessed in the coming hours ahead of the showdown with Slovenia, and Southgate - who has Ramsdale and Dean Henderson as backups - may very well be quizzed on the goalkeeper's fitness when he faces the media.

England's Luke Shaw pictured on June 24, 2024© Reuters

Luke Shaw returns to full training

In brighter news, Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw was able to take part in full training as he enters the final stages of the muscular problem that has sidelined him for over four months.

The 28-year-old was not involved in either of England's opening two matches against Serbia or Denmark and was a surprise call-up to begin with, having been described as a "long shot" for the tournament by Southgate.

Shaw was still training individually over the weekend, suggesting that Southgate's selection call had backfired and the defender would not be fit to face Slovenia, but he was reportedly looking lively as he rejoined his teammates on Monday.

As a result, an appearance in Cologne cannot be ruled out for Shaw, but the ex-Southampton man may instead be spared for the knockout stages as Kieran Trippier continues to deputise on the left.

Southgate is still facing a couple of critical selection calls, especially in midfield, as all of Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo and Conor Gallagher are vying to take over from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alternatively, Jude Bellingham could drop into a deeper position, allowing Phil Foden to act as England's number 10 and either Eberechi Eze or Anthony Gordon to strut his stuff on the left.

ID:546637:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5046:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Luke Shaw

Click here for more stories about England

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
England's Luke Shaw pictured in June 2024
Read Next:
Southgate's selection call backfiring as key man missing from England training
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!