England midfielder Fabian Delph is returning to the Three Lions training base following the birth of his third child.
Delph, who played in the group stage defeat to Belgium, was given leave by manager Gareth Southgate to fly straight to England following the game in Kaliningrad and announced the birth of his third daughter on Wednesday.
The Manchester City man’s return will be a boost to Southgate, who described the England dressing room as being like something from TV series M.A.S.H in the aftermath of their penalty shootout win over Colombia.
England are now back in Repino preparing for Saturday’s quarter-final clash with Sweden, who beat Switzerland to book their place in the last eight, and held a completely open training session on Wednesday afternoon.
Dele Alli’s fitness will remain a concern ahead of the tie in Samara after the Tottenham midfielder struggled against Jose Pekerman’s side, having returned from a thigh injury picked up in the opening game, being replaced on 81 minutes.
Premier League champion Delph, or Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, are options to replace Alli in midfield as England look to reach a World Cup semi-final for the first time in 28 years.
