Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s Return to the England National Team
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a midfielder for AC Milan, is poised to rejoin the England national team as they prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. His inclusion comes in light of Adam Wharton suffering a groin injury during Crystal Palace’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
According to reports from the PA news agency, Loftus-Cheek is expected to step in for Wharton, who has been ruled out for the international matches by Palace manager Oliver Glasner following the injury sustained in the second half of the game.
Significance of Loftus-Cheek’s Call-Up
This call-up marks a significant return for the 29-year-old, who last represented England six years ago, with his previous appearance dating back to March 2019. To date, Loftus-Cheek has earned 10 caps, his most recent being in a friendly against the United States in November 2018.
His familiarity with current England coach Thomas Tuchel, having previously played under him at Chelsea, could prove advantageous as he integrates back into the squad.
Upcoming Matches and Team Preparations
Both the English Football Association and Loftus-Cheek’s return are expected to be officially announced on Wednesday, as the team makes final preparations for their matches. The squad will gather at St George’s Park on Tuesday ahead of their Group K opener against Andorra, scheduled for Saturday at Villa Park, followed by an important clash against Serbia in Belgrade the following week.
In light of transfer deadline day, Tuchel has allowed an additional 24 hours for players facing mixed emotions, although only defender Marc Guéhi’s transfer saga impacted the squad, as his move to Liverpool fell through when Palace was unable to secure a replacement.
