BREAKING: Raheem Sterling Officially Return To #Qatar, Set For #England Vs #France #FIFAWorldCup Match—-Raheem Sterling has returned to England training for the first time since he returned home after his family home was burgled as Gareth Southgate boasted a fully fit squad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter final.
Sterling, 28, returned to the UK on Sunday night after it emerged his house in Surrey had been burgled triggering security concerns for his family.
The Chelsea star has flown back to the England camp and was spotted in training for the first time since the incident. He is likely to be on the bench, given the recent turmoil, against France in Saturday’s quarter-final.
On Thursday, Southgate expressed his backing for Sterling, saying: ‘He has felt the need to support his family and to be there for his family and that is a simple decision for me – I have to support the player.
‘I remember Fabian Delph going home, his wife was expecting in Russia we did the same thing.
‘There are moments for every individual where family becomes most important. I’m always supportive of that.
‘Of course I want the best players available and want to win football matches but as a manager you have to recognise there are certain moments in people’s lives that are more important at that particular time.’
On Sterling’s availability for the game against France, Southgate added: ‘We will have to assess that. He has missed a lot of training and had two long flights.
‘That is not good preparation for a game of this standard but let’s see how he is.’
Developing story…
CREDIT: DAILYMAIL.CO.UK