Kieran Trippier 'solution' ruled out after Phil Foden and Declan Rice fumed at Newcastle star

Bukayo Saka has insisted he is not the 'solution' at left-back after Kieran Trippier was declared a doubt for England's last 16 clash against Slovakia.

England's issues down the left-hand side have hardly been a secret during the Euros given Trippier's understandable tendency to use his natural right foot and Phil Foden's preference to drift inside rather than hug the touchline. Alan Shearer has said it is a 'problem' that is 'helping' opposition teams while Micah Richards added it is 'very difficult to build out from the back' when Trippier wants to 'come inside all the time and Foden doesn't like to play on the wing'.

Declan Rice and Foden both showed their frustration in the first half of the goalless draw against Slovenia earlier this week when Trippier opted against playing the ball to the unmarked Rice just outside the box. However, it is easy to forget that not only is Trippier playing out of position - the 33-year-old is managing a calf issue after only playing two full games in the last four months for club and country.

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Trippier has not trained with the group in the last couple of days because of the injury and the Newcastle defender is a doubt for England's huge game against Slovenia in Gelsenkirchen tomorrow. Ian Wright has boldly suggested Saka as a potential alternative to give England 'balance' and 'activate the whole left side' while Gary Neville said it would be 'brilliant' to see the Arsenal forward there. However, Saka, like Trippier, feels 'more comfortable' on the right and believes that is where he 'plays best'.

"Obviously, I love Ian Wright," he told the BBC. "He says so many great things about me, but I don't think putting me out of position is the solution."

Although Luke Shaw has returned to full training, the Manchester United defender has not played since February so Ezri Konsa could come in as a makeshift left-back if Trippier is unable to start.