FAT CHANCER! Roy Hodgson's blast at out of shape Man United star Luke Shaw

Posted Friday, August 29, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

ROY HODGSON has astonishingly revealed he had to lecture £30m Luke Shaw about his fitness at the World Cup.

FAT CHANCER! Roy Hodgson's blast at out of shape Man United star Luke Shaw
FIT CAMP: Shaw's fitness has been questioned by Van Gaal

The England boss also disclosed his physio Gary Lewin had words with the Manchester United left-back, who was picked for Brazil ahead of the 107-times capped Ashley Cole.

And previous boss Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton also knew about Shaw's problems with staying in tip-top shape, Hodgson added.

New United boss Louis van Gaal ordered 19-year-old Shaw to train alone on the club's pre-season tour in the US.

"He needs to be fit and he is not very fit and fit enough to do what I want," the Dutchman said at the time.

Shaw has yet to make his United debut due to a hamstring injury he suffered as he did the extra work-outs in the States to improve his conditioning.

FAT CHANCER! Roy Hodgson's blast at out of shape Man United star Luke Shaw And Hodgson admitted: "I think when he (van Gaal) talks to Pochettino, then Pochettino will say to him, 'what you've been saying to Luke, is what I was actually saying to him'.

"Luke might have had it mentioned to him a couple of times during the World Cup when we were together, by people like myself and Gary Lewin.

"So I think he's been aware of it, Luke, and he will get fitter and stronger, not least of all because he's still a very young man and his body has not yet reached its proper proportions for the level he wants to play at.

"I must say watching him play in the matches for Southampton, which caused me to select him, and in the game against Costa Rica when he played, he didn't seem to have too many problems coping with the physical side of the game.

"That doesn't mean to say he can't be fitter, and if Louis thinks that he can get him fitter then I'm sure he will certainly have our approval."

The revelation about Shaw makes Hodgson's decision to ditch Chelsea legend Cole, who is now at Roma, more surprising along with United's decision to splash out a world record fee for a teenager.

Meanwhile, Hodgson has confirmed he will continue to use the service of sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, despite England players appearing to still lack mental strength as they flopped at the World Cup.

"He will be around," said Hodgson. "The mental side of the game is very important and with the pressure of the tournament the players appreciated having him there. "They could go and speak to him but you can't expect miracles from those things."