Raheem Sterling ‘desperate’ to rejoin England squad for France clash as statement expected | Football | Sport
Raheem Sterling is reportedly desperate to return to the England squad as he weighs up whether or not to return to Qatar after returning to the UK on Sunday after his home was burgled. The Chelsea star is expected to make his decision tomorrow (Thursday) with a statement set to be released.
Sterling returned home before England’s 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16 after thieves broke into his home. While no one was physically harmed during the burglary, his partner and three children have been left badly shaken, with the 27-year-old returning to be with them.
Surrey Police have confirmed that watches and jewellery were taken from his home but thankfully no one was at home during the time of the break-in.
The winger is desperate to return to the squad ahead of the crunch quarter-final with France according to The Times but he will not do so until he has been given complete security assurances over his family’s safety.
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The England manager’s only public comments on the matter came after his return home was announced, sending his support to the experienced star.
“We will have to wait and see. At the moment, clearly, the priority is for him to be with his family and we’re going to support that,” he said when asked about Sterling’s situation. “We’re going to allow him to have as much time as he needs.
“He’s going home, yeah. I really don’t know because at the moment it’s a situation that he needs time with his family to deal with and I don’t want to put him under any pressure. Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first.”
Sterling has been a key player under Southgate during his six years in charge winning 54 of his 81 caps under the former Middlesbrough manager, scoring 18 goals in the process. He started England’s first two games at the World Cup in Qatar, netting the third in the 6-2 success over Iran.
