England full-back Kieran Trippier is a doubt for Sunday’s Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Slovakia, with Gareth Southgate ready to pick a surprise replacement.
England boss Gareth Southgate has lined up Ezri Konsa to replace Kieran Trippier if the 33-year-old fails to prove his fitness for Sunday’s Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Slovakia.
Trippier has been forced to play on his unnatural left side for all three of England’s group games against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
Trippier’s tendency to come onto his favoured right foot has resulted in an unbalanced side, but he has ultimately done his best to help the team without the services of their only natural left-back, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw.
The 28-year-old has not featured in any of England’s three matches at Euro 2024 as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury which has kept him out of action since February.
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Trippier a doubt for Slovakia clash
Although Shaw has indicated he could play some role in Sunday’s contest, he is unlikely to be fit to start against Slovakia, leaving the door open for Trippier to continue in the left-back role.
However, according to Sky Sports News, the Newcastle United man is a doubt for the last-16 clash due to an ongoing calf problem.
Trippier has been nursing a calf issue since the closing stages of the Premier League season, and it has hampered his preparation for England’s first knockout game at Euro 2024.
After sitting out Thursday’s session, Trippier missed team training again on Friday as he continues to work on an individual programme.
England are still hopeful that Trippier will be ready for the game in Gelsenkirchen, but it will depend on how he pulls up on Saturday.
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Konsa ready to replace Trippier
If Trippier is unable to prove his fitness, there is the option for Southgate to move Kyle Walker to left-back and bring Trent Alexander-Arnold to operate on the right side of defence.
There is also the possibility that England could select Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, who operated as a left-back on numerous occasions during the 2023-24 season.
However, the current trail of thought is that Southgate will make a slightly surprising decision and pick Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
The 26-year-old, who has four international caps to his name, is poised to make his first major tournament appearance if Trippier is unable to take his place in the side.
There is a belief that Konza will be placed into an unconventional left-back spot, but there is also the option for him to play in a familiar right-back role and move Walker over to the left side.
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