Football
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Manchester United's Luke Shaw has chance of Euro 2016 place - Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson hopes Manchester United defender Luke Shaw will be able to prove his fitness before Euro 2016 as he continues to make progress in his recovery from a double leg break.

Shaw made an exceptional start to the season at Old Trafford, but suffered the injury during September's Champions League clash at PSV Eindhoven.

The left-back was hurt in a tackle by Hector Moreno, resulting in two operations and a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Few expected to see the 20-year-old again this season, but his progress has been impressive and Hodgson, who has been monitoring him, hopes he will be available for Euro 2016.

"Luke Shaw's in the same position as Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere," he said. "He is a player we believe in -- we think is an excellent talent. We think he will be a major competitor with the other left-backs for a place in the squad.

"All that remains is for him to get fit enough to be selected.

"I spoke to Luke on Sunday and he said to me that things are going well, and that's good news. We're in the hands of the club, to some extent.

"If they decide they don't want to risk him in the final games, they do want to hold him back, they want to give him a preseason to get 100 percent fit, there's not much I can do."

Hodgson said he was keeping "a very close eye on the matter" and hoped United would use Shaw before he announces his squad for France on May 12.

But he added: "I don't interfere with club business. I've been a club manager, and you can't always expect the agenda of the club and international manager to coincide."

If Shaw does not make it back in time, Hodgson is fortunate to have impressive strength in depth at left-back.

Uncapped Danny Rose and Ryan Bertrand were selected instead of Leighton Baines and Kieran Gibbs for this month's friendlies against Germany and Netherlands, while in-form West Ham full-back Aaron Cresswell was not in the picture.

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