Luke Shaw feared he wouldn't get a kick at the Euros after suffering another injury scare during training a fortnight ago

Gareth Southgate’s left back gamble very nearly backfired — after Luke Shaw admitted he thought his tournament was over before he had even kicked a ball.

The defender has revealed he was sent for a scan after overstretching in training a fortnight ago, aggravating a hamstring injury, and there were fears he could be ruled out of the Euros.

Shaw finally featured for the first time since February when he came on in the 78th minute of Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland, and he could now start Wednesday's semi-final against the Netherlands. 

At the time, England did not confirm the extent of the scare that saw the Manchester United defender miss training for several days towards the end of the group stage, but asked if he thought his tournament was over, Shaw said: ‘I think so, purely because of what I had been through. I worked so hard and then for something like that to happen, I was worried.

‘But I had a scan and it wasn’t too bad, it was only a minor one. So I knew there was an opportunity to come back and play later in the tournament.

‘Now I’m at that stage where I feel really good.’

Much has been made of England’s imbalance on the left of the pitch, where Kieran Trippier has deputised at left back. 

The Newcastle veteran has done well but the need for a natural left-footer has been glaring. Even if only for an hour — and Shaw says he is fit to start — Southgate should at least try to solve one of the many issues in his side.

Better that than bring him on as a substitute and risk him breaking down.

The manager must also decide whether he goes with a back three or back four, and the temptation could be to revert to the latter to match the Netherlands. Either way, Shaw believes his presence would restore that balance. ‘I have to have belief that I can help the team, make the team better,’ he said. ‘Maybe Gareth sees that and maybe it is why he brought me, because he knows the qualities I have and what I can bring.

‘It might make the balance better, having a left-footed player on that side. But Tripps has done really well and always has done for his country. He has been brilliant.’

England are yet to play well here in Germany — bar the opening half hour of the first group match against Serbia — but have been praised for finding a way to win, even if some of that has felt fortunate.

Yet Shaw, who was part of the squad at Brazil 2014, puts their progress down to a change of mindset under Southgate.

‘The difference between then and now is definitely the belief,’ he said, England having exited at the group stage 10 years ago. ‘We’ve got way more belief now than we ever had.

‘To be honest, I don’t really understand the criticism (of Southgate). I think with what he’s done for the country, and for us as players, he’s really taken us to the next level.

‘No manager has been as successful as him.

‘As players, we love him. He’s exactly what we need. He always puts us players first.

‘I have a lot to thank him for, because he showed a lot of faith and trust in picking me when he didn’t have to. Now, I need to repay the faith he has shown in me.’