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ROSS HEPPENSTALL

IRAN striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh has been tipped to shine against England at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old joined Hull City in January, on loan from Fenerbache until the end of the season.

During the March international break, Sayyadmanesh (above) won his fifth and sixth caps for Iran against South Korea and

Lebanon respectively.

He then came off the bench for Hull in Friday’s 1-0 home defeat to Huddersfield – just hours after Iran had been pitted against the Three Lions in Group B at the 2022 World Cup.

Tigers team-mate Matt

Ingram said: “Allahyar is very sharp, lively, quick, and I think he’s a very exciting player when he’s on the ball.

“He’s not had a lot of game time yet and I think he had a few injuries when he first came to the club. But he’s a real talent and one for the future, definitely.”

Gareth Southgate’s side will face Iran for the first time ever at senior level in their group opener on November 21.

Sayyadmanesh, who became his nation’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted in a 5-0 friendly win against Syria in June 2019, could start against the Three Lions in Qatar.

Ingram added: “I think for any player to be involved in a World Cup is a massive landmark in your career.

“But to line up against England? That would be amazing for Allahyar, especially as he’s still such a young player.”

Sayyadmanesh’s stint at Hull is his third spell away from Fenerbahce, having previously impressed during spells at Istanbulspor and Zorya Luhansk.

Tigers goalkeeper Ingram said: “He’s a confident, popular lad and has fitted in really well here.

“His English isn’t perfect but I don’t speak any other language so fair play to him for the English he does have.”