Luke Shaw admitted he feared his tournament would end without him kicking a ball after suffering a setback in training, but said he is now ready to start England's Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
The Manchester United defender was a major doubt regarding his fitness ahead of the final, having not played for club or country since February due to a hamstring problem.
After initially hoping to be back for the latter part of the group stage, Shaw suffered an injury scare and missed the last-16 extra-time win over Slovakia.
But the 28-year-old overcame the problem to make his first appearance in Saturday's quarter-final win over Switzerland as a 78th-minute substitute.
Gareth Southgate's side face the Dutch in Dortmund on Wednesday and when asked if he was fit to start that game, Shaw said: “Yes, of course, I think so, but obviously that's Gareth's decision. But I feel fit and ready to go.
“The last four months have been really tough. Obviously, at first I was expected to be back a lot sooner, but I've had a few setbacks, to be honest.
“I'm here now, it was really nice to play the other night. I was really looking forward to playing some minutes. It's been a while, but I was really happy to be able to play some minutes and I hope I can play more in the next game.”
Asked if the scare he suffered at England's training base made him think his participation in the tournament was at risk, Shaw said: “Yeah, I think so. I think it was just because of what I'd been through. I'd worked so hard to get to where I was and then of course for something like that to happen, I was worried.
“But I had a CT scan and it wasn't that serious, so it was just a small injury. I knew I still had a chance to come back and play later in the tournament.”
“It was just during training. To be honest, I pushed myself too hard. It was just a minor thing and now I'm here.”
Shaw also defended Southgate against criticism of the team's conservative style. England have now reached their third semi-final in their last four major tournaments, but English fans threw glasses of beer at Southgate after a group game and the team has been booed on several occasions during the tournament.
“To be honest, I don't really understand the criticism,” said Shaw on Monday, who was a somewhat surprise inclusion in Southgate's 26-man squad given his lengthy injury absence.
“I think what he's done for the country and for us as players as well. I think he's really taken us to the next level.”
“I don't think any coach has had as much success as he has in recent times.
“Now it's another semi-final and me and the players love it. I think he's very good. It's exactly what we need. For us, he always puts the players first and that's why we can go out on the court and try to be at our best.
“I think I have a lot to thank him for, because he showed a lot of faith and confidence in choosing me when he didn't have to. For that, I will always be grateful to him.
“But now I have to repay the trust he has placed in me.”
