Mueez Ajao
– James Maddison said he never gave up hope of being part of the England squad for the Fifa World Cup despite his three-year absence from the international picture.
– The Leicester midfielder, 25, made his England debut in November 2019 – still his only cap for his country.
– But Maddison’s excellent club form this season earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar.
Also Read: Maddison scores but limps off in Leicester win over West Ham
– “I didn’t think it was a closed door and the opportunity had gone,” he said.
– “It was just about staying hungry and almost using the rejection as not being called as motivation.”
– Maddison’s one and only England appearance came in a 7-0 Euro 2020 qualifier win against Montenegro and he has had to wait patiently for his next international opportunity.
– He has been instrumental in Leicester’s rise from bottom of the Premier League table to 13th this season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in 13 games.
– However, he was still not certain whether it would be enough to earn a call-up and he admitted it was an emotional moment when he was told he was in the squad.
– “My dad actually cried and my dad’s not a crier; I don’t think I’ve seen him cry for years,” he added.
– “They were happy tears of course because your family and your parents are on this journey with you.
– “The disappointment in previous years of not being selected is spread across the family because your family want what’s best for you.
– “But on the opposite end, the happiness comes too.”
– There was a scare when Maddison limped off in Leicester’s 2-0 win at West Ham last Saturday, but it was soon confirmed that it was just a knock.
– And Maddison says he is confident he will be fit for England’s opener against Iran on Monday.
– “The scan was a good scan and no major problem,” he said. “I’ll have to do a little bit of work with the physios here to get up to full speed.
– “It shouldn’t affect me playing in the first game. I might just have to do some separate work with the physios, but I’m hopeful I’ll be fine.”
– But while Maddison expected to be fit to face Iran, Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker will miss out.
– The 32-year-old has not played since 2 October after having groin surgery but is expected to be fit for England’s second group game against the United States on Friday, 25 November (19:00 GMT).
– “I think probably the first game is too short, but from then onwards I will be good and ready to go,” Walker told ITV.
– “I had [surgery] and it was touch and go, but that’s full credit to the physios here and also at Manchester City for getting me back fit and healthy.”
