England are gearing up for a highly-anticipated FIFA World Cup showdown, with the Three Lions set to face defending champions France in what promises to be the match of the tournament.
However, there have been doubts surrounding one of Gareth Southgate's best and most experienced players heading into this quarterfinal fixture, and that man is Raheem Sterling.
The Chelsea winger missed out on England's 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16 over the weekend due to a family emergency. As revealed by an FA spokesperson, the 28-year-old left the squad and departed Qatar altogether after his house was robbed in his absence.
Raheem, who is a father of three, rushed back to check up on the wellbeing of his partner and kids. Fortunately, his family was absent from the house at the time of this burglary and thus no one was hurt.
After this was announced, fans immediately began wondering whether the former Manchester City star would return for the remainder of the tournament or be ruled out. With England fans anxiously awaiting their encounter with Les Bleus, the answer to this question has finally been revealed two days before that match.
The England national team confirmed that their brilliant winger will return to the squad on Friday and should thus be available for Saturday's tie against France. However, this does not mean Sterling will walk straight back into the lineup.
Raheem Sterling will return to England's @FIFAWorldCup base in Qatar.
— England (@England) December 8, 2022
The #ThreeLions forward temporarily left to attend to a family matter but is now expected to rejoin the squad in Al Wakrah tomorrow ahead of the quarter-final with France. pic.twitter.com/3bxzAVP3cQ
Raheem started the Three Lions' first two FIFA World Cup matches, scoring in their 6-2 victory over Iran in their opening fixture. Despite this, the Chelsea ace has not been in spectacular form both in this competition and in the 2022/23 season.
In the third and final group-stage tie, Southgate dropped him and Bukayo Saka in favor of Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford, who both impressed. In the victory over Senegal, the aforementioned Arsenal star reclaimed his spot and was partnered by Foden, meaning Sterling will have to work his way back up the pecking order.
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