FODEN IS FUELLED BY HIS EUROS HEARTACHE

EXCLUSIVE

PHIL FODEN has revealed he is desperate to fire England to World Cup glory in Qatar to put his Euros heartbreak behind him.

The Manchester City midfielder missed last year’s Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy at Wembley and was forced to watch from the sidelines after a freak training injury in the build-up to the clash when he attempted a clever touch.

The 22-year-old, arguably one of the first names on

Gareth Southgate’s teamsheet, wants to put it right.

The tournament kicks off on Sunday and England play Iran in the opening Group B match on Monday.

“I missed probably the biggest game of my life through doing something stupid,” said Foden

(right). “I’m just trying to keep fit and healthy – and working hard to put the performances in for England.” Despite a tough Nations League campaign that saw England relegated from their group, the Three Lions are still among the favourites in Qatar.

Rio Ferdinand last week claimed anything other than England winning the World Cup would be billed as a disappointment – and Foden is keen to live up to expectations.

He said: “That’s the pressure we put on ourselves after doing so well in previous tournaments. That’s what we have to live with, everyone backing us. “We know we have so many experienced players in the squad, who have played in the biggest games and can handle this kind of pressure.

“We have to be professional about it and to do our talking on the pitch, do our best and see where it gets us. We have to come off the pitch and know we gave our all.”