Maddison looks set to miss England’s opener against Iran

JAMES Maddison appears to be a major doubt for England’s World Cup opener after missing training on the eve of the Iran clash.

Gareth Southgate’s side kick-off Group B at the Khalifa International Stadium today (1pm).

Maddison was the only player absent from training at England’s Al Wakrah Sports Complex base yesterday afternoon.

The 25-year-old, pictured, missed the Three Lions’ previous two open training sessions on Thursday and Friday due to what the Football Association called load management.

Maddison went off in the first half of Leicester’s win against West Ham last weekend with a knee complaint but said scans on the issue were fine.

“It’s OK,” Maddison said on Wednesday. “We had a scan the day before we met up.

“It was a positive scan. It wasn’t any major problems. I have to do a bit of work to get up to speed with the physios here but it should be no concern.” Asked if the issue will impact his tournament, Maddison said: “I hope not, no. We’ve got to tick a few boxes with the physio team, there might be a bit of separate work, extra work to make sure it’s right and not a problem because I want to be fully, 100 per cent if called upon. I’m hopeful I will be fine.”

England’s remaining 25 players trained, including Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips as they work their way back to full fitness.

» Joe Allen has been ruled out of Wales’ opening World Cup game against the United States today.

The Swansea City midfielder has not played since September 17 because of a hamstring injury and has been battling to be fit for Wales’ first game at the World Cup for 64 years.

Wales manager Robert Page said: “If I’m honest he’s not going to make it.

“We’d have liked him to play in the first game. But we’re not going to push him and hope that he will make the second game (against Iran on Friday).”