England welcomed back their big guns as they prepared for Tuesday night’s crunch World Cup last-16 meeting with Colombia.
Having sat out Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Belgium that consigned them to second place in Group G, the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Dele Alli were back in action.
Gareth Southgate’s squad trained at their base in Repino on Saturday morning and Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph were the only absentees as the Three Lions prepare for enter the knockout stages of the tournament.
Harry Kane strikes the ball during England’s Saturday morning training session in Repino
Kane and Dele Alli (centre) are expected to return for England’s last-16 match with Colombia
Gareth Southgate rested a number of key players during Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Belgium
Manager Gareth Southgate keeps a close eye on training at the Spartak Zelenogorsk stadium
Loftus-Cheek, who started England’s second and third group matches against Panama and Belgium, is not carrying an injury but completed a specialised conditioning session at the team hotel.
Delph flew back to England following England’s 1-0 loss to Belgium on Thursday night following the birth of his third child.
John Stones trained at the Spartak Zelenogorsk stadium with a bandaged calf after coming off at half-time during the defeat in Kaliningrad but the central defender is expected to make the Colombia game.
Alli, who sustained a thigh problem in England’s opening win over Tunisia and hasn’t featured since, is back to fitness and should be in contention for Tuesday’s match in Moscow.
England’s defeat to Belgium saw them finish second in their group, meaning a tougher last-16 assignment against Colombia rather than Japan.
Dele Alli is back to full fitness and in contention to play Colombia in Moscow on Tuesday night
Midfielder Eric Dier plays a pass as the Three Lions trained at their Repino base on Saturday
Jesse Lingard on the ball as England count down to the crunch last-16 match with Colombia
Southgate addresses the players ahead of training at the Spartak Zelenogorsk Stadium
However, England should have a smoother route to a potential final should they overcome the challenge of the South Americans at the Spartak Stadium.
Having made eight changes against Belgium, Southgate acknowledged he has left himself open to criticism should England fail to beat Colombia.
‘We had to make a decision we felt gave us the best opportunity preparing the whole squad for that game and that’s what we tried to do,’ said Southgate.
‘Of course, if we don’t win, I understand people would say whatever about the Belgium game, but for me that was the right thing to do and you’ve got to take decisions you believe are the right ones.’
Southgate also revealed that Harry Kane fully accepted his surprise decision to bench him for the defeat by Belgium following heart-to-heart talks with the England manager.
Kyle Walker is another expected to return to the line-up having been rested against Belgium
Southgate made eight changes for the game against Belgium and England were beaten 1-0
John Stones will be fit for the Colombia game despite going off at half-time against Belgium
Sportsmail understands Kane was desperate to play in the final Group G clash in Kaliningrad as he sought to stretch his lead in the race for the Golden Boot.
Even at Tottenham, the striker is known for his dedication to play in every game, no matter the competition.
And Kane’s determination to play against Belgium compelled Southgate into holding special talks with his captain to explain his decision to rest him ahead of the knockout rounds.
Kane, despite his desire to play, is said to have respected the manager’s decision and reasoning for it.
Harry Maguire pictured in training as England prepare for their tough test on Tuesday
Manchester United stars Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford jog during the training session
(Left to right) Jamie Vardy, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill and Phil Jones pictured in training
Phil Jones comes under pressure from Marcus Rashford in Saturday’s training session
Southgate said he wanted to keep his starters – including Kane – fresh for the last-16 game against Colombia and free from injury.
‘I felt the need to sit with him, but he was brilliant,’ Southgate said. ‘He totally understood, 100 per cent, that it was team first.
‘He said ‘look, I know everyone says I want the Golden Boot. Of course it’s something I want to do. But the main thing is getting the team through the first knockout’.
‘He was excellent on that, showed real leadership and understanding of the big picture.’