Boss relieved by Shaw’s recovery from collision

LUKE SHAW (pictured) was “sat up, talking” and “fairly comfortable” following England’s 2-1 home defeat to Spain, according to manager Gareth Southgate, after the left-back was forced off in the second half following a horror head collision.

The Manchester United star’s injury overshadowed what had been a somewhat chastening night for Southgate’s side, although the news ensured it ended on a positive note.

Southgate did add that he felt Danny Welbeck’s 96th-minute strike should have stood, after being ruled out for a perceived foul on David De Gea, but insisted that shouldn’t take away from the fact Spain were “better than us for long periods”.

Luis Enrique’s side were 2-1 up when Shaw suffered an accidental collision with Dani Carvajal, leaving him having to be carried off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask.

It was all the more unfortunate because his performance had been so good up until that point, setting up Marcus Rashford’s opener, but Southgate did seem reassured by how the defender was after the game.

“He’s sat up in the dressing room, talking and seems fairly comfortable,” the England manager said. “We’ll have to assess him a bit more, but that’s definitely a good sign. Difficult to tell [if he was unconscious]. There’ll be tests. We won’t take any chances with his health, it was a nasty looking fall.

“I think, as you say, great contribution for the goal. And it’s a big thing, we’ve thrown him in today after a few games of the season. He’s still ... we have quite a few players short of minutes and sharpness, so to come into a game like tonight after so long out of the international scene is as tough a test as you can have. But he’s shown flashes that he can play a part for us.”

Southgate had praise for other players, adding: “Eric [Dier] provided some stability, and allowed us to play better through midfield. I’m very proud of the way the players finished the game.”