England boss Gareth Southgate draws up 'emergency plan' ahead of Euro 2024 squad announcement

England boss Gareth Southgate draws up 'emergency plan' ahead of Euro 2024 squad announcement

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Gareth Southgate prepares to name England squad

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 21/05/2024

- 08:40

The Three Lions will be hoping to go all the way in Germany this summer

England boss Gareth Southgate reportedly plans on Kieran Trippier being his emergency left-back at Euro 2024 this summer.

The Three Lions manager is set to announce a 'training' squad of more than 30 players for the tournament, with England hoping to win a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.


That number will then be reduced to 26 on June 7, with the Three Lions due to play in upcoming friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.

And, according to The Sun, Trippier is in line to be used as an emergency left-back throughout the tournament this summer.

England squad announcement

England squad announcement: Gareth Southgate is set to announce the players who have made the cut today

PA

Luke Shaw was an undroppable when England made the final of Euro 2020 three years ago.

With the Manchester United star suffering an injury-plagued campaign, however, he isn't guaranteed to make the squad.

Shaw's last appearance for the Red Devils came back in February.

And though Erik ten Hag has indicated he's nearing a return to action, Southgate may not deem him worth the risk.

Chelsea star Ben Chilwell is another option for England, though he struggled for consistency as the Blues scraped into the Europa League at the end of the season.

Trippier, according to the publication, is the 'favourite' to start England's clash with Serbia on June 16.

The Newcastle star has 46 caps for his country and has long been admired by Southgate.

The best moment of his international career was when he scored a stunning free-kick against Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

But England failed to make the final of that competition, with Southgate's side eventually losing 2-1.

The report says one player who might miss out is Ivan Toney, with the striker toiling on Sunday as Newcastle beat Brentford.

Yet who ultimately makes the cut remains to be seen.

Southgate is set to experiment during the upcoming friendlies, with Trent Alexander-Arnold to be deployed alongside Declan Rice in midfield.

The Liverpool star has shown he's comfortable playing in that position for his country.

And it'll be fascinating to see how Alexander-Arnold fares on his midfield audition with the start of the European Championships creeping closer.

Over the weekend, England were given a huge scare after Harry Kane picked up an injury.

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England Kieran Trippier

England are set to use Kieran Trippier as a left-back at Euro 2024 this summer

PA

The Bayern Munich star is said to be working at home with Canadian-based sports medicine specialist Dr Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco.

But England are hopeful Kane will be able to play at the Euros, having flourished during his maiden season in Germany.

If Kane is ruled out of the tournament, Dominic Solanke could be drafted in.

And Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola thinks he's done enough to earn a spot in Southgate's squad.

"Solanke's selection to England's Euro squad? I don't know what more he can do," he said.

England Gareth Southgate

England boss Gareth Southgate has long been a huge admirer of Kieran Trippier

PA

"He is playing very well and he scored a great header today.

"But it is not just about the finishing, it's about everything else he gives to the team.

"I think he's very complete and I think he will be there.

"He has been really consistent and proven he is a very good player."

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