England World Cup team news: Dele Alli steps up recovery ahead of Belgium
The 22-year-old was forced to miss the Three Lions' 6-1 win over Panama with a thigh strain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dele Alli trained with his England teammates the morning after Gareth Southgate's men hammered Panama as the attacking midfielder looks to prove his fitness for Belgium.
The 22-year-old was reduced to a watching brief on Sunday as a slight thigh strain kept him out of the memorable 6-1 win in the heat and humidity of Nizhny Novgorod.
Alli only returned to training on Saturday after picking up - and playing through - the issue in the first half of England's 2-1 win against Tunisia at the start of last week.
The attacking midfielder again trained as the non-starters worked at the Three Lions' Spartak Zelenogorsk facility on Monday morning.
Southgate now faces a decision on whether to use him against Belgium as the Three Lions look to seal top spot with progress to the last-16 already assured.
"Dele is progressing well," the England boss said after Sunday's game. "Obviously he hasn't had the opportunity to train on the field (on Sunday), he did a different sort of session.
"So, we'll know how close for the Belgium game he is after (Monday) I would think but we're pleased with the progress so far.
"It takes pressure out of the decision in playing him in that game, but if he's ready then it's also a good opportunity for him."
England's starters did recovery work at their Repino hotel on Monday, including right-back Kieran Trippier who was withdrawn in the 70th minute against Panama.
"Kieran was feeling a tiny twinge just towards half-time," Southgate said. "But then came over and said he was absolutely fine but we weren't prepared to take a chance, so we got him off."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments