Frank Lampard names the player England have badly missed at Euro 2024 | Football

Shaw was selected in England’s 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany despite not featuring for club or country since mid-February due to a serious hamstring injury.

The Manchester United star has also been absent for the Three Lions’ opening two group-stage matches of the tournament, with Kieran Trippier filling in on the left side of Southgate’s defence against Serbia and Denmark.

While England’s progression into the knockout phase has been confirmed, Harry Kane and Co have been found wanting and disjointed for the most part and their performances have come in for heavy criticism from fans, pundits and former players.

However, in a potential boost to England’s hopes, Shaw was pictured back in training on Monday as all 26 members of Southgate’s squad were put through their paces ahead of this evening’s clash with Slovenia in Cologne.

‘And then you would have the two and get the offensive players between the lines with the threat on the left-hand side.

‘We’ve lacked that and that’s a problem that he’s going to want to solve.

Though Lampard believes Trippier is a ‘fantastic player’, he feels Shaw’s absence at left-back has ‘affected the whole balance of the team’.

‘I think you can probably get away with right-footed centre-backs on both sides if the left-sider is comfortable enough that they can make the right pass,’ Lampard added.

‘I think Trippier is a fantastic player who has shown that for club and country but you’re just asking different attributes to players.

‘People might say, “You’re just talking about a left-back”, but in the modern day when we’re watching how the German team play and both full-backs are so advanced, their style, how they play. It’s important you get those bits right.

‘Those small details are massively important so it’s obviously something that has come upon Gareth. He’s tried to get Luke Shaw fit, obviously that’s not quite happening at the minute.

‘But it’s not just as simple as saying, “That’s just one player”, as that affects the whole balance of the team.

‘Maybe then it’s about what the other solution is. Can we get some more real high attacking width on that side that stays wide. That maybe gives you more dynamic runs in behind. I think that’s certainly something he might look at.’

‘I’m delighted for him. I gave him his debut at Chelsea. He’s a really polite, humble lad,’ he continued.

‘You could see that he had all the attributes that could take him a long way, particularly the personality. He wanted to do well.

‘I really liked the idea of working with him at that time because when a young kid comes through with that humility and wants to do well, that’s an amazing to work with as a coach.

‘But to go away and play as he played at Palace and to come into an England squad with the high pressure of playing. Everyone’s going, “Oh, we’re not sure!”, but he’s now one position we’re not talking about which is an amazing achievement from him.’

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