DELPH: TENSE COLOMBIA SHOOT-OUT SENT MY WIFE INTO LABOUR

FABIAN DELPH has revealed England’s dramatic penalty shootout with Colombia sent his wife into labour.

The Manchester City midfielder was allowed to fly home by England to be with wife Natalie for the birth of their third child.

The amazing story does not end there as Delph’s City teammate Vincent Kompany – who he could meet in the World Cup final – loaned him his private jet to fly there and back.

Delph’s wife was already overdue and the drama of penalties finally brought on the birth – and also meant he could return to Russia and get on as a substitute against Sweden.

He said: “It was actually that game that took her into labour! During the game she was diving about watching then went into hospital afterwards. She had the baby, I got back and have had a session with the lads.

“She was a few days over, which is why I missed the Colombia match. I was comfortable with that because I know we have more than enough in the dressing room to win and I watched it at home on the couch.

“For me, it’s been one of the best weeks of my life. If not the best. I obviously had a few days back home for the birth of my third child.

“The gaffer gave me a couple of days to get back so to return and be involved in a fantastic squad and not only that, to get some minutes is absolutely fantastic.”

Delph, who trained at City to keep himself in shape after returning, then dashed back thanks to Belgium’s Kompany.

“Vincent’s family came out for the Belgium game and I am close with him and the family, so I flew back with Vincent’s family on a private plane. It was just me, his children and his wife,” Delph added.

“They had just beaten us so I didn’t know whether to speak to them! He has three lovely kids and they were running about. On my way back I was just on my own on the plane.

“Fair play to the FA who looked after me. Now I’m really looking forward to Wednesday.”

Delph was only back in England for a few days, but saw for himself the excitement which the team’s success has brought.

He said: “It’s crazy. We are out here in our bubble, our circle, and we do not have outside distractions so we are not aware of what is going on. But going back for three or four days, it was incredible.

“The support I felt was absolutely amazing, even people who are not into football are stopping me and shouting, ‘Make sure you bring it home’. It’s overwhelming.

“I told the lads about it and they could not believe it. We are in for a shock when we get home.”