James Maddison England 2022-23Getty Images

Concern for England? Maddison misses training for second consecutive day ahead of World Cup opener

  • Maddison missed Thursday's session with squad
  • Also left Friday's to do solo work
  • Game against Iran just three days away

WHAT'S HAPPENING? After all 26 England players had gathered for assistant coach Steve Holland's pre-training chat, Maddison then left the session and headed down the tunnel for some solo work. The midfielder's absence from training was his second in a row, following his omission from Thursday's session with the Three Lions.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: While Maddison was quick to quell fears over any serious injury problems, his absence will be of some concern to Gareth Southgate and England. The 25-year-old was taken off early in Leicester's last Premier League match before the international break against West Ham, and is yet to feature in an England training session since they landed in Qatar.

AND WHAT'S MORE: The news will of course be a blow to Maddison too, who now faces a race against the clock to be fit in time for England's opener against Iran on Monday. Southgate has just two more sessions before his side's Group B opener, leaving Maddison with little time to get up to speed.

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STORY IN TWO PHOTOS:

James Maddison England 2022-23Getty ImagesJames Maddison England 2022-23Getty Images

THE VERDICT:

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND? After Monday's opener against Iran, for which Maddison will be racing to get fit, England then take on the USMNT in their second group match next Friday.

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