England team news: Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph absent from training as Dele Alli steps up recovery

AP

England returned to training ahead of their World Cup last 16 tie with Colombia, following their first defeat of the tournament against Belgium.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph were the only absentees from training as the Three Lions continued preparations for their knockout clash against Jose Pekerman’s side, as Dele Alli stepped up his recovery from injury.

Loftus-Cheek, who started England's last two Group G games, is not carrying an injury but completed a personal conditioning session at the team hotel rather than joining team-mates at their Spartak Zelenogorsk training base.

Delph, meanwhile, remains in England having flown back for the birth of his third child following Thursday's 1-0 defeat to Belgium.

Alli, who sustained a thigh problem in England's opening win over Tunisia and has not featured since, is now back to fitness and should be in contention for Tuesday's match in Moscow.

John Stones came off at half-time in that match and was seen with bandaging on his left calf, but he took part with the rest of the group and is not understood to be a fitness concern.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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