Luke Shaw fit for England vs Switzerland as Gareth Southgate faces selection dilemma

England manager Gareth Southgate is facing a dilemma over Luke Shaw with the defender fit to play a part against Switzerland on Saturday.

Southgate must decide whether or not to stick to his original plan and aim to use Shaw off the substitutes’ bench or take a big gamble by throwing him straight into England’s starting line-up.

As reported by Telegraph Sport, Southgate is considering a switch to a back three and Shaw has trained with the group this week in preparation for the Euro 2024 quarter-final tie against the Swiss.

Shaw is believed to be fit to be involved against Switzerland, but Saturday will be 140 days since his last appearance, for Manchester United on February 18.

Southgate’s pre-Euros plan had been to use Shaw off the substitutes’ bench as a way of easing him into the tournament before risking him from the start.

And Southgate must now decide whether or not to stick to that plan or risk playing Shaw from the start in Dusseldorf for what could be his last game in charge of England.

Ezri Konsa is expected to take the suspended Marc Guehi’s place, although Shaw can play on the left of the back three. Kieran Trippier has been filling in at left-back, but Southgate has been preparing to play with wing-backs against Switzerland.

Shaw has played as a left wing-back for England under Southgate before, while Bukayo Saka could be used as a wing-back on either the right or left. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also challenging for the position on the right.

Should Southgate revert to three at the back to face Switzerland, then Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden could play as two 10s just behind Harry Kane.

Bellingham is still waiting to be told the outcome of Uefa’s investigation into the gesture he made after scoring against Slovakia. But even if he is punished, the Real Madrid star is expected to be fined rather than banned.