Leicester midfielder James Maddison was forced off with an injury last weekend, but he returned to training on Wednesday with another Three Lions player who is recovering.
James Maddison declared he will be available for England’s World Cup opener as he provided a positive update on the injury he sustained last weekend.
The Leicester midfielder, 25, forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad with a brilliant seven goals and four assists during the first half of the season. However, there was concern about whether he would be fit to board the plane to Qatar after he was forced off in last weekend’s Premier League clash against West Ham.
Much to the relief of the Three Lions faithful, Maddison touched down in the Middle East on Tuesday and took part in the team’s first training session on Wednesday. The former Norwich prospect says the scan on his knee was “positive” and is confident he will be fit for England’s opening group-stage fixture against Iran on Monday.
“The injury is okay,” Maddison told reporters. “We had a scan the day before we met up and it was a positive scan. I had a little problem in the lead-up to the West Ham game. I wanted to play, but I didn’t want to not play because of the World Cup, that’s not the sort of person I am. I wanted to show the focus was still there.
“I managed to score early and carry on for a little bit after that but there was soreness and it was getting a little bit worse as the game was going on because I didn’t want it to get worse and we could get someone on who can run at full sprint.
“The scan was a good scan and no major problem. I’ll have to do a little bit of work with the physios here to get up to full speed. It shouldn’t affect me playing in the first game. I might just have to do some separate work with the physios, but I’m hopeful I’ll be fine.”
In a further boost for England, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker also took part in training on Wednesday after undergoing groin surgery in early October.
“It was touch-and-go at one stage but full credit to the physios to get me fit and healthy and I was confident after the surgery, Walker, 32, told ITV. “It is down to the manager now. I think the first game is a little too short but after that, I will be good and ready to go.”
If Walker is unable to face Iran, Southgate could opt to play a back four, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier as his natural options in the role. Alternatively, Benjamin White could slot in as the right center-back in a three-man defense.
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