Leicester City midfielder James Maddison has insisted that he feels fit and ready to go ahead of England’s final World Cup group game against Wales.
Maddison’s last appearance for England was in November 2019 but his recent form for Leicester City made it so he had to be included in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man World Cup squad.
But the midfielder has missed England’s first two group games after suffering a knee injury in Leicester’s final game before the World Cup.
The midfielder returned to full training on Saturday after a period of rehabilitation and is champing at the bit to impress for his country on the world stage.
“It’s really nice to be back in training, obviously going from being very frustrated,” Maddison said.
“I was in good form, getting the call-up, which is what I was after, getting to Qatar and then having that little problem that was keeping me inside for a little bit longer than what I would have hoped.
“But it’s feeling good now, back out full training, have been for the last few days so feeling good, feeling sharp and ready for the game.”
Asked if he feels like his World Cup is starting now, he said: “The first two games it’s been about, for me, being there for the lads.
“Obviously not being able to affect it on the pitch and haven’t been on the bench because of the little knee problem I’ve had.
“But I’m feeling good now, I’m feeling fit and almost like, yeah, my World Cup starts now.
“Back in training, this will be the first game that I’ve been involved in, so it’s about showing that I’m here now and I’m here to do a job.
“Hopefully that’ll happen and if I get the chance show what I can do. Just do what I do on a weekly basis.”
While unlikely to start against Wales, Maddison could come off the bench to win his second cap – a memorable belated birthday present after turning 26 last Wednesday.
The midfielder spoke glowingly about the way team-mates and the Football Association helped him celebrate and praised the spirit Southgate has helped to cultivate.
“Honestly, the feel in the group and the dynamic amongst the squad is something I’ve probably never seen before,” he told ‘The Lions’ Den’ on England’s YouTube channel.
“Obviously from the outside in previous years and seeing the Euro stuff and that, you look at the videos, the Insta, the Lions’ Den and stuff like that and you can just tell like the camaraderie and the atmosphere is so positive and so…
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