England injury news: Jamie Vardy is only World Cup fitness doubt ahead of Sweden quarter-final

AFP/Getty Images
James Olley5 July 2018

England are hopeful of being able to select the same line-up that started against Colombia when they face Sweden in Samara on Saturday.

Several players were assessed during a closed training session at the team’s training base in Repino this morning but it is understood Jamie Vardy is the only major fitness doubt.

Vardy came on as an 88th-minute substitute in Moscow but did not take a penalty in Tuesday’s shoot-out win after injuring his groin.

The Leicester City striker had an injection in his groin immediately after the game to treat the problem and is still being monitored.

In any case, coach Gareth Southgate is keen to persevere with the players who have predominantly helped England advance to their first World Cup quarter-final in 12 years.

Ashley Young took a kick to his ankle but it is not thought to be serious, while several other players including Harry Kane and Kyle Walker suffered cramp towards the end of the game. Walker was repalced by Marcus Rashford during extra-time as a result.

Dele Alli was taken off with nine minutes of normal time remaining in a tactical change for Eric Dier and was therefore spared the worst possible strain on his body, having only just returned to full fitness following a thigh injury. “We felt it was probably a good time to try to solidify a little bit and with hindsight it was probably a good thing that he didn’t go to extra-time because that would have put him at a bit more risk,” said Southgate.

Kane is believed to have declared himself fit and while Rose is on standby to replace Young, Southgate wants to ensure there is minimal disruption to the team given a quick turnaround ahead of the last-eight showdown .

In Pictures | England vs Colombia, World Cup | 03/07/2018

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Rashford would be the preferred alternate forward option should Vardy not prove his fitness in time, with Danny Welbeck also available.

Sweden have injury concerns of their own, with midfield duo Albin Ekdal and Jimmy Durmaz absent from yesterday’s training session.

Ekdal was confined to gym work before undergoing X-rays on a foot problem, while Durmaz is struggling with a hip complaint. England will hold one further training session in Repino tomorrow before flying to Samara.

In the city, temperatures are expected to hit 30C — around 10 degrees warmer than it has been at the team’s base this week, which has also seen regular rain showers.

Southgate believes England’s extra-time exertions only further vindicate his decision to rest eight players for their final group game against Belgium, when England were beaten 1-0 to finish second.

“I’m pleased we did what we did in the Belgium game even more because it’s an accumulation of fatigue making things more difficult,” he said.

“But now we have a chance to reassess and it will be a tough game. Because Sweden are often underestimated and I have real respect for Sweden.”

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