RAHEEM STERLING is back training with England after landing in Qatar on Friday morning.
The 28-year-old forward has rejoined Gareth Southgate’s squad having returned to the World Cup from the UK.
Sterling jetted home on Monday to be with his family after burglars broke into his home and stole £300,000 worth of watches and designer jewellery.
But he joined the rest of Southgate’s squad for training just hours after landing back in Qatar.
The forward revealed he was “looking forward to getting stuck in” after being spotted at Heathrow heading back to Doha.
All 25 members of the England squad trained on Friday ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup quarter-final against France.
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Sterling though is only expected to take part in a light session after flying in from the UK.
Defender Harry Maguire was first out onto the training pitch, followed closely by Harry Kane, Callum Wilson, and Eric Dier.
Wilson and Declan Rice both missed training on Wednesday but returned yesterday and were again out on the pitch today.
When asked about training, Southgate said: “Yeah, they (Rice and Stones) are both in training. Callum Wilson has missed a little bit of training, so we’ve got to assess him.
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“Raheem’s arrived back this morning so we’re going to have to assess exactly where he is at.
“He’s obviously missed a lot of training but great to have him back with the group.
“[Sterling on bench?] Well, I would assume, yes. But, as I said, he hasn’t been on the training pitch with us and he’s just come off a seven-hour flight.
“I’ve not had chance to speak with him since he landed but we’ll see how he is during the training and we’ll see how he is when I’m able to speak with him.”
Spirits seemed high ahead of Saturday’s crunch quarter-final meeting with the current World Cup champions.
Sterling was pictured cracking a smile as Southgate’s squad got down to work in preparation for the match.
A meeting with the winners of Morocco vs Portugal in the last four awaits whoever comes out on top on Saturday.
Speaking on Sterling’s return, midfielder Kalvin Phillips said: “Once one player goes through it, there is always a thought in the back of your mind that it might happen to you.
“It’s not really a nice feeling when you are so far away and have family at home.
“Raheem feels good enough to join back up with us — and we’re very happy his family are OK. It will be a massive lift.
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“Raheem’s an amazing player and obviously had to fly home with what’s gone on.
“We’re just glad everything is OK now and he can rejoin us to play a big part in the next game, which we are looking forward to.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
