Vardy and Young face race for fitness
Jamie Vardy and Ashley Young are in a race to be fit for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden, although Gareth Southgate’s worst injury fears have been allayed.
Six-goal striker Harry Kane has given the England manager his biggest boost by declaring himself fit with no issues in his calf after having a massage to relieve cramp.
Fabian Delph announced the birth of his daughter yesterday and immediately boarded a flight back to Russia to rejoin the squad and increase Southgate’s options.
Kane was one of a number of players assessed by medics after the Colombia game, along with Vardy, Young, Kyle Walker and Dele Alli.
Vardy had an injection straight after the match to treat the groin injury that occurred five minutes into extra time. He played on but was prevented from taking a penalty in the shoot-out. He had replaced Raheem Sterling in the 88th minute.
Southgate’s policy towards penalty takers is that they must be fit and comfortable to strike. No injured player will take a penalty and Vardy was honest about his situation. It is likely he would have taken the fifth penalty.
He and Young are rated as the biggest doubts to face Sweden, although the latter’s thigh, which he took a kick to, did not stiffen up and a blow to his ankle bone is not rated as serious. Danny Rose could replace him in Samara,
Walker had shaken off his cramp by the time the squad returned to their Repino base at 6.30am yesterday and attended a meeting with Southgate in the gym at 1pm.
It remains to be seen whether all of Southgate’s players can train fully today, but Alli insisted the thigh injury which kept him out of two group games was not aggravated against Colombia.
Delph posted a picture of himself on Instagram on his flight back to Russia, alongside a message that read: “I’ve just experienced the most amazing 24 hours. Watching my brothers come through a tough game both mentally and physically, I kicked every ball and felt every bit of emotion with the players, staff and fans. At 07:52, me my wife and two beautiful daughters welcomed their baby sister into the world.”