Raheem Sterling has rejoined England training ahead of Saturday's World Cup 2022 quarter-final with France at the Al Bayt Stadium, but Gareth Southgate has admitted that he will need to carefully assess the forward before making his selection.
The 28-year-old was a last-minute withdrawal from the team to face Senegal in the last 16 due to what was described as a "family matter", as the Three Lions secured a 3-0 win in his absence.
That same evening, it was reported that Sterling's Surrey home had been broken into, and the Chelsea attacker immediately flew back to the UK amid concerns about his children's welfare.
Southgate did not put any pressure on Sterling to return for the remainder of England's World Cup campaign, but he has now rejoined the group in Al Wakrah and was pictured in training on Friday.
The former Manchester City man is expected to be available for selection when the Three Lions tackle Les Bleus on Saturday evening, although Southgate has hinted that Sterling may not be ready to start.
Great to have you back, @sterling7! 👊 pic.twitter.com/4a95bNMVzG
— England (@England) December 9, 2022
"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," Southgate told ITV Sport.
"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. 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."
Sterling started England's first two games of the 2022 World Cup against Iran and the USA, scoring once and providing one assist against the former before being dropped to the bench against Wales.
Phil Foden started on the left-hand side against Wales and scored England's second goal on the day, leading Southgate to select the Man City attacker for the last-16 clash with Senegal as well.
© Reuters
Foden enjoyed another standout performance against the African champions, setting up Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka's goals after also playing a key part in Jude Bellingham's opener.
Sterling was one of a full 25-man squad to train on Friday ahead of the quarter-final, with West Ham United's Declan Rice now back on the practice pitches following a brief illness.
Callum Wilson has also shaken off a minor strain to make himself available, meaning that England's only absentee is Ben White, who left the camp due to personal reasons last week.
It has since been alleged that the Arsenal defender returned home after struggling to gel with the rest of the England squad, while he is also said to have had a disagreement with coach Steve Holland.
Ben Knapton
Netherlands
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Ecuador
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Mexico
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Japan
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