James Maddison: Leicester midfielder insists he will be fit and ready to be called upon for England at Qatar World Cup | Football News

James Maddison insists he will be fit and ready to be called upon for England after shaking off an harm scare on the eve of the World Cup.

The midfielder, having scored in Leicester’s 2-0 win over West Ham within the ultimate sport earlier than the event, was compelled off with a knee downside simply two days after being named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.

Every England participant skilled for the primary time in Qatar on Wednesday, together with right-back Kyle Walker, who had groin surgical procedure in October though he will not play within the opening match towards Iran on Monday – however Maddison is hopeful he will be out there for choice.

“I’ve got to be ready when called upon,” he stated in a press convention. “I feel like I’m in good form, in good goal-scoring form, we’ve got such a brilliant squad, you might only get that one moment to show everyone what you can do and be the man to help the team. I’ll be ready when that opportunity comes.

“We had a scan the day earlier than we met up which was a optimistic scan. I had slightly downside within the week increase to the West Ham sport, post-Everton sport. I wished to play (vs West Ham). I did not need to not give it a go due to the World Cup. I wished to assist Leicester.

“I managed to rating early and stick with it after that. It was a bit sore and getting worse as the sport went on. I assumed it was most likely finest for me to come off and get another person on who would not have an issue with a full dash. I’ve to perform a little bit of labor to rise up to pace with the physios right here but it surely ought to be no concern.

“There might be a little bit of separate, extra work to make sure that’s right and not a problem because I want to be 100 per cent if called upon. I’m hopeful I’ll be fine.”

Maddison admitted he “never felt the door was closed” on being named in Southgate’s squad regardless of not being called up for three years.

The 25-year-old stated he was braced for each outcomes however spoke of the emotion when he acquired the excellent news.

“I was in Brendan’s (Rodgers) office having a chat to him and he asked me if I’d heard anything, I hadn’t at that point,” defined Maddison. “He was just being a good man-manager and putting his arm around me if I didn’t get the call and how to stay motivated for Saturday’s game.

“I went again down to the dressing room and had a missed name off Gareth Southgate so the center began beating. I had his quantity saved nonetheless, I called him again and he gave me the excellent news.

“It was all a little bit of a blur. After the call finished it was head on the wall moment, deep breath and then I called my parents.

“My dad truly cried. Your household and mother and father are on this journey with you. When in earlier years I’ve been disregarded after I thought I might need an opportunity, the frustration is unfold throughout the household as a result of they need what’s finest for you.

“On the opposite end of the scale the happiness comes for them as well. The day of the announcement, I went back to see them in Coventry and had dinner with them. That’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”

Casino journey by no means a difficulty, says Maddison

Last week, England boss Southgate described a on line casino journey made by Maddison after he pulled out of an England squad with sickness in October 2019 as not “the drama it seemed to be for everybody else” and Maddison was additionally eager to play down the incident.

Maddison stated: “People forget that I was actually capped by Gareth Southgate and called up after the casino incident and it wasn’t a big deal at the time for Gareth.

“It obtained blown out of proportion and a few of it was ridiculous to what truly occurred. That was prior to now and I do not need to go into the main points of what truly occurred. It wasn’t an enormous deal then.

“I was actually capped after that incident so people who often say… I think they’re just making an excuse up for me as to why I wasn’t in the squad but I don’t think that was the case.

“We had already spoken about it and put it to mattress and I used to be called up and capped after that. That was by no means a priority, that was extra outdoors noise from you lot I believe.”

Walker: I’ll be ready for USA game

Meanwhile, Walker has revealed he is focusing on a return to motion in England’s second group sport towards the United States subsequent week.

The 32-year-old has not performed for Manchester City since October 2 and has undergone groin surgical procedure in a bid to be fit for Qatar.

Having been included in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad, the England supervisor stated he anticipated Walker to be ready for motion earlier than the tip of the group stage.

He skilled alongside his team-mates throughout England’s first session at their base at the Al Wakrah Sports Complex on Wednesday.

But Walker admits Monday’s opening sport towards Iran will come too quickly and is as an alternative aiming to be in rivalry for the USA sport on November 25.

He advised ITV Football: “I think probably the first game is too short, but from then onwards I will be good and ready to go.

“It was an operation I had and it was touch and go, but that’s full credit to the physios here and also at Man City for getting me back fit and healthy.

“I used to be by no means fearful. I at all times have to imagine in myself. As quickly because the professor stated I wanted the surgical procedure, I used to be very assured that I made certain I ready proper, on and off the sphere, and did the precise issues accurately and transferring ahead I knew I’d be alright.”

England’s Group B fixtures

Monday November 21 – England vs Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)

Friday November 25 – England vs USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)

Tuesday November 29 – Wales vs England (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 7pm)