Dele Alli is almost certain to miss England’s World Cup clash against Panama with a thigh strain. The midfielder is set to miss three days of training and is very unlikely to be available for England’s second Group G game on Sunday in Nizhny Novgorod with a slight muscle strain.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek appears to be the leading candidate to replace Alli in central midfield after impressing as a late substitute in Monday’s win over Tunisia. Alli suffered his thigh injury in the first half on Monday, but insisted on carrying on. He eventually came off for Loftus-Cheek in the 80th minute. Alli looked in discomfort afterwards and had a scan in St Petersburg on Tuesday.