- Luke Shaw was a substitute in England’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland
- The 28-year-old had been kept out with a hamstring injury suffered in February
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Gareth Southgate is the first England manager to be criticised while winning
Luke Shaw has claimed that he is fit enough to start England’s European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
The Three Lions left-back took to the turf for the first time since February when he came on as a 78th-minute substitute in Saturday’s quarter-final with Switzerland.
The Manchester United star had not played a minute of football for 140 days before he crossed the white line in Dusseldorf.
But after gaining valuable minutes across normal time and then extra-time in England’s victory over the Swiss, Shaw is now chomping at the bit to be selected from the outset against the Dutch.
‘I think I am [fit enough to start] but obviously, that’s Gareth’s [Southgate] decision. But I feel fit and ready to go,’ Shaw told the press on Monday.
Shaw’s road to recovery from a hamstring problem, which he sustained against Luton Town while playing for United, has been far from straightforward.
However, despite his difficult battle to regain fitness for this tournament, the full-back is raring to go after getting a taste of it at the weekend.
‘The last four months have been really tough. Obviously, at the start I was expected to come back a lot sooner but I had a few setbacks.
‘But I am here now. It was really nice to get on the other night, I have been itching to get some minutes, it’s been a long while.
‘I’m really pleased I was able to get on the pitch and get some minutes. Of course now, hopefully, I can get some more in the next game.’
Shaw’s return to the England team was not supposed to take as long as it did. Upon arrival in Germany, it was expected that the defender would feature at some point during the group stage.
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However, those hopes were quickly knocked back. But Shaw always held onto the hope that he would return to action during this tournament.
‘Before the squad got announced, we had a plan – to come back around the 2nd or 3rd game but I had a little setback which pushed me back a game or so.
‘It was unfortunate but [Gareth], Steve & the medical staff have been amazing. They were really there for me.
‘I was of course worried. But I had a scan and it wasn’t too bad so I knew there was still opportunity to come back. It was just in training so I actually overstretched. It was only minor.’
England’s number three also backed his boss, Southgate, after the criticism that has been thrown his way throughout this tournament.
‘I don’t really understand the criticism,’ Said Shaw. ‘What he has done for the country, for us as players as well, he’s really took us to the next level.
‘No manager has really been as successful as him, as what he is doing recently. It’s now another semi-final.
‘And for me, and us as players, we love him. He’s really good, he is exactly what we need. He always puts the players first. For that we are able to go out onto the pitch and try to be our best.
‘For me personally, I have a lot to thank him for. he showed a lot of faith and trust in picking me when he didn’t have to.
‘For that, I will always be thankful, now I need to repay the faith that he has shown in me.’