England suffer fresh injury concern ahead of Slovenia fixture

06/23/2024 02:29 PM

Gareth Southgate's injury problems at left-back are only worsening after it emerged that Kieran Trippier is dealing with a calf problem ahead of England's final group game against Slovenia.

Trippier has filled in at left-back for England's first two games against Serbia and Denmark while Luke Shaw continues his rehabilitation from a long-term hamstring injury.

However, with Shaw now unlikely to return before the knockout stages, Southgate may be forced to roll the dice in defence once again if Trippier is unable to start on Tuesday.  

The Newcastle right-back appeared to suffer from cramp in the closing stages of England's opening game against Serbia and is said to be managing a minor injury in training.

Reports suggest Southgate was hoping to substitute Trippier against Denmark but was forced to keep him due to the scoreline.

The 33-year-old suffered with a calf injury towards the end of Newcastle's Premier League season but it's currently unclear if the current injury is related.

Should Trippier not be able to start, it could mean that either Joe Gomez or Ezri Konsa are brought in to fill the void at left-back.

Gomez deputised at left-back for Liverpool last season when Andy Robertson was sidelined with a shoulder injury, while Konsa's versatility has seen him play across the defensive line for Aston Villa.

While no doubt keen to field a strong lineup to ensure England top their group, Southgate hinted he will make changes as he looks to improve upon a poor display against Denmark.

'We'll have a look at everything. We felt the right thing to do was to give confidence to the players we picked in the first game,' the England boss said earlier in the week.

'We had won the previous game, the guys who came in for the previous game, we were very happy with what they contributed so we have to do the same process after this match.

'We'll look at the performance and look at the next opponent and find the best solutions for the next game.'

Conor Gallagher could be one named primed to come into central midfield and replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer both warrant their first minutes of the tournament after impressive club campaigns.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.