England set to welcome key World Cup player back for France showdown

The Three Lions will face their biggest test of the World Cup this weekend in the form of title holders France.

England winger Raheem Sterling will rejoin the national team on Friday in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

The 28-year-old Chelsea star missed the 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal in the round of 16 last Sunday after flying back to the UK on the morning of the match following a break-in at his Surrey home the day before.

Raheem Sterling will return to England’s @FIFAWorldCup base in Qatar.

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

— England (@England) December 8, 2022

His three young children and partner, Paige Milian, were present at the time of the break-in. The intruders were reportedly ‘armed’, leaving Sterling ‘shaken’ and concerned for his family. Surrey police are yet to make any arrests in relation to the raid.

However, two days before England meet France in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Three Lions have confirmed Sterling intends to report back to the team on Friday in Al Wakrah.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool player started in England’s first two group games of the World Cup, supplying one goal and one assist. He stayed on the bench in the final group match, which ended in a 3-0 win over Wales.