Gareth Southgate’s England face France in the World Cup quarter-finals (Picture: Getty)

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has urged Gareth Southgate to drop Manchester United defender Luke Shaw for the World Cup quarter-final against France.

A semi-final spot is on the line on Saturday as World Cup holders France take on Euro 2020 runners-up England at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Ex-England star Robinson believes Southgate will stick with the players that have starred for the Three Lions in Qatar but says he would drop Shaw for Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier.

Shaw, 27, has started all four of England’s World Cup games so far, impressing in a defence that has conceded just two goals.

‘The one change I would make in the starting XI is Kieran Trippier at left-back,’ Robinson, who made 41 appearances for England, told OLBG.

‘It’s harsh on Luke Shaw because he’s had a fantastic tournament, but what Trippier offers you defensively outweighs what Luke Shaw gives you offensively.

‘It’s not just going to be Kylian Mbappe versus Kyle Walker, if Mbappe is struggling then France will put him on the other side against a slower player.

Luke Shaw has started all four of England’s World Cup games in Qatar (Picture: Getty)

‘The front three of Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane stays the same because of how well they played together. Despite Raheem Sterling coming back, he should stay on the bench.’

The former Tottenham Hotspur, Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United shot-stopper also believes Jordan Henderson should stay in the England team after starring in the 3-0 last-16 win over Senegal.

He added: ‘Jordan Henderson keeps his spot in the team. All the big calls Gareth Southgate has made like with Henderson has shown we have to trust him.

‘Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson have shocked me the most, you look at the way they’ve both adapted and played in this tournament, it’s outstanding.

‘Maguire was our player of the group stages, and in the Senegal game, Henderson was excellent.’

By playing World Cup holders France in the quarters, Southgate faces the ‘hardest game’ of his managerial career, according to Robinson, who was England’s No. 1 at the 2006 World Cup.

‘England can win the World Cup if they beat France, but you have to look at the strength of the other teams past France, such as Argentina and Brazil,’ the 43-year-old said.

‘Now France have N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema injured, they’re a different proposition. A win against France would be a statement.

‘France is undoubtedly the hardest game Gareth Southgate will have in his England managerial career.

‘Obviously, we faced Italy in the Euros final but you look at the quality of that France team with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele at this stage of the tournament, it does not come close.’

MORE : Arsene Wenger warns France about England as he previews World Cup quarter-final

MORE : Jamie Carragher claims only three England players would get in the France team

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‘That’s the one change I would make.’