Injured Chelsea star Reece James is expected to 'urge' Gareth Southgate to include him in his England squad for the World Cup.
James has been in a race against time to be fit in time for this winter's tournament since suffering a knee injury against AC Milan last month. It was thought that he would be ruled out for at least eight weeks, putting his hopes of featuring in Qatar in serious doubt.
Southgate will name his squad to fly out to the Middle East on Thursday, with the England boss facing a number of injury concerns. But there is hope that James may make an astonishing return to fitness in time to feature for the Three Lions.
According to the Evening Standard, James is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation programme. The right-back will 'urge' Southgate to include him in his squad, having also told friends that he is 'confident' he will be on the plane.
It was expected he would be in a knee brace for four weeks, but he has been able to walk without it already and is said to be using it less and less. The right-back flew out to Dubai this week to continue his rehab with work in the gym and the pool.
Southgate is reported to have already had a conversation with James, with Chelsea sending ongoing reports to the Football Association over his fitness. The England boss has a track record of taking players with fitness concerns to tournaments.
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Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson were included in the squad for Euro 2020 despite not being fully fit at the start of the tournament. The duo went on to make key contributions as the Three Lions reached the final.
James has frequently refused to rule himself out of the tournament, instead insisting he will keep battling to return to fitness. It remains to be seen if Southgate will select him, but the Chelsea star will push to make the plane.
“I need to keep working hard over the next few weeks and see where I am on call-up day. I will try and not rule myself out. It is still slow and in the early stages. I have been in rehab for two weeks, so I am still taking it day-by-day," he told The Sun last month.
“The Chelsea medical staff have not given me a percentage of my chance of being back for the World Cup. It is down to how I feel closer to the time and how stable it is. It is going to be very tough.
"It is an injury which could take a long time and it came at an awkward period but I am trying my best and hopefully it is possible and if it is not, I know I tried everything. I am trying to be positive.
"I am not not sure how long this injury will take. I am not in pain. But if I try to speed it up, it might be a bit of a risk. I am trying hard every day to improve and make it right and get fit as soon as possible."
