Loftus-Cheek ready to replace Alli
Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek said he is ready to be called upon in England's second World Cup game against Panama if Dele Alli is injured.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek said he is ready to start England's second Group G match at the World Cup against Panama if Dele Alli is ruled out through injury.
Alli picked up a thigh strain in England's 2-1 win over Tunisia on Monday and his fitness is being monitored ahead of the trip to Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday.
Chelsea midfielder Loftus-Cheek played the last 10 minutes of England's opening match, during which period Harry Kane scored a stoppage-time winner, and he said he is ready to be part of Gareth Southgate's starting line-up if called upon.
"I am happy if I start or if I don't," Loftus-Cheek said in an interview on England's official YouTube channel.
An update from the camp: underwent a scan today, revealing a slight thigh strain.The issue will be managed over the coming days. June 19, 2018
"I will be ready to come on again if I get the opportunity."
Reflecting on his positive, attacking approach to his World Cup debut, the 22-year-old said he did what came naturally to him.
"It was a natural instinct when the game is like that, with not long left, to go and be direct and try to make things happen," he said.
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"It felt good. When you're playing you don't think about it but after you let it sink in and it's like 'I just played in a World Cup' – it's crazy."