Fully fit, but Alli is wary of ‘very dangerous’

Dele Alli dismissed “very dangerous” talk of England being in the easier half of the draw, with World Cup progress against Colombia all that is on the fit- again midfielder’s mind.

Gareth Southgate’s men are preparing for a tough-looking last-16 clash against the South Americans at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on Tuesday.

It is a chance for the Three Lions to win their first knockout match since 2006 and atone for some galling major tournament defeats, including their humiliating Euro 2016 exit to minnows Iceland.

Alli was in the side that day so there is little chance of complacency seeping in against Colombia, despite some already looking ahead to a tasty quarter- final against Switzerland or Sweden, and beyond.

“I think that’s very dangerous,” the attacking midfielder said when asked if it was fair to say England are in the easier half of the draw.

“We have to approach every game like we’re playing the best side in the world.

“They’re a dangerous side and have a lot of great talent, so we have to be switched on to that and not look into the future, into the next games.”

Alli could have a starring role against Colombia as he looks to kick-start a World Cup thrown off kilter by a slight thigh strain picked up in the Group G opener against Tunisia.

“Yeah, I’m fully fit,” the Tottenham man said after missing the Panama and Belgium matches.

“After the injury I was frustrated, but I’ve been doing a lot of work to make sure I’m back and ready to go.”

Even if Alli had been fit on Thursday, he would have almost certainly have been rested against Belgium’s back-ups given he is one of England’s key men.

Southgate was criticised for his eight changes that night and the decision against pushing for the leveller, especially as a draw would have seen the side top the group on fair play.

“The boys played well. The manager made a decision and we all back him. Everyone is fighting for places.

“I don’t think we lost any momentum. We’re all fighting and raring to go.” Southgate said it would have been “ridiculous” to risk the likes of Harry Kane against Belgium with qualification assured. The England manager pointed to Colombia as an example of what can go wrong as their key man James Rodriguez is a doubt for Tuesday with the injury that forced him off in their final group match.

“Obviously he’s a fantastic player,” Alli said of the last World Cup’s Golden Boot winner.