I thought I’d never play for England again - Shaw

LUKE Shaw believed he’d never play for England again.

The 25-year-old has been recalled to Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the first time in more than two years for this week’s international fixtures.

Shaw was part of England’s 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil despite being only 18 at the time, but form and fitness have seriously hampered his international prospects since.

Seven years on, the United defender is enjoying the best season of his career at Old Trafford, earning him a second chance with England.

“Yeah, I think so,” Shaw said when asked if he believed his hopes of representing England were over.

“At times, I made bad mistakes, pulling out of squads, maybe at times when I shouldn’t have. That was down to me.

“Of course, back then, I was going through bad times. There was in the back of my mind, especially my family and my girlfriend, they thought that it was done.

“At the start of the season, I had ambitions and sat down with my girlfriend and said that I wanted to get back in the England squad, doing everything I can to be back there.

“With my form, I thought there was a bigger chance than ever that I could be back in it.

“Gladly, Gareth (Southgate) has given me another opportunity to be involved in there, so I’m just really happy and honoured to be selected again. Hopefully, I can show Gareth why I deserve a spot in the squad.

“I think the England squad is really strong at the moment,” he added.

“Good times are coming with tournaments and you want to be more involved. It’s important now to show Gareth why I deserve a spot in that squad.”