SAM TO RECALL SHAW AFTER INJURY AGONY
LUKE SHAW is set to put his year- long injury hell behind him tomorrow by earning an England recall. The Manchester United left back is firmly in Sam Allardyce’s thoughts as the new manager puts the finishing touches to his first squad. And Allardyce has been given United boss Jose Mourinho’s blessing to select Shaw.
The defender is now likely to be included in Allardyce’s 23-man party to face Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier a week tomorrow.
Shaw, who has six England caps, missed the majority of last season after suffering an horrific double leg break in United’s Champions League defeat by PSV Eindhoven in September.
But the 21-year- old has been given the all- clear to resume his international career and is likely to battle it out with Tottenham’s nham’s Danny Rose for the left back role. Shaw’s return means ns Southampton’s Ryan n Bertrand, who was in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad, is likely to drop out.
Allardyce’s assistant Sammy Lee will make one last check on Shaw when he attends United’ss clash with Hull at the he KCOM Stadium this evening.ning.
Lee will also run the ruleule over Wayne Rooney, who is almost certain to be selected, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have an opportunity to impress.
Allardyce will be at Goodison Park to watch Everton take on Stoke. The match gives England’s manager an opportunity to keep tabs on Ross Barkley and Phil Jagielka, who both played regularly under previous manager Hodgson.
AlAllardyce will also see StoStoke centre back Ryan ShawShawcross, whose only England cap came under Hodgson, but another defender, Burnley’s Michael Keane, is more likely to get the nod from the new national-team manager.
Allardyce and his staff will meet at St George’s Park tomorrow afternoon to watch West Bromwich v Middlesbrough on television — keeping an eye on Boro’s left-footed centre back Ben Gibson. They will then watch Manchester City v West Ham, after which Allardyce will finalise his squad.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford’s demotion to the Under 21s frees up an attacking role, with Arsenal’s fit-again Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain hopeful of a recall, while Andros Townsend and Theo Walcott are also in contention.
James Milner’s international retirement leaves a midfield slot vacant, with Fabian Delph and Danny Drinkwater the leading contenders to fill it.