Kieran Trippier is a doubt for England’s Euro 2024 clash against Slovakia having reportedly missed training on Friday.
The Newcastle defender, who has started all of England’s matches at left-back, has been nursing a calf injury since the back end of the domestic season.
However, Sky Sports News reports that Trippier may not feature having needed extra time to recover than his teammates.
The report adds that the powers that be in the England camp haven’t given up hope on Trippier being fit for Sunday afternoon’s last 16 tie, live on talkSPORT, kick-off 5pm.
But if the 33-year-old isn’t deemed fit enough to play then it’s understood England boss Gareth Southgate will turn to Ezri Konsa to deputise.
This is despite first choice left-back Luke Shaw seemingly being on the road to recovery, while Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, who played left-back on numerous occasions last season, being at Southgate’s disposal.
Konsa is a centre-back by trade having helped Aston Villa to a creditable fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, and thus Champions League football for next season.
He does have experience as a full-back, however, further issues at left-back is something Southgate needs like a hole in the head.
Southgate admitted selecting Shaw, who hasn’t placed since Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Luton on February 18, was a ‘gamble’ having left behind Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell and Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell.
The gamble is yet to pay off with Shaw yet to play a minute of football in Germany and only making the matchday squad for one of England’s three games so far, their 1-0 win over Serbia in what was their opening match of the tournament.
Shaw hinted that he’d be available for the ‘next game’ when speaking to journalists after the Three Lions drew to Slovenia on Tuesday night.
But this latest news suggests Southgate will have to think outside the box on who to play in what’s been a problem area for England at Euro 2024.
Elsewhere, Kobbie Mainoo could be handed his first senior start for England on Sunday having impressed after coming on in the second half against Slovenia.
Other than that, Southgate is understood to be likely to name the same team that couldn’t break down the 45th-ranked side in the world in Cologne.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
