Thursday’s briefing: Ruben Loftus-Cheek hoping for England chance in qualifier

England are gearing up for their World Cup qualifier at home to Andorra, while Wales have a much trickier test in Kazakhstan on an artificial pitch.

Closer to home Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has made a big call for his Champions League plans.

Loftus-Cheek over his injury ordeal

Ruben Loftus-Cheek says he is now at “peace with the past” after his serious Achilles injury threatened to derail his career.

The AC Milan midfielder is back in the England squad for the first time since March 2019 after a late call-up for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

The 29-year-old was a big part of Sir Gareth Southgate’s squad when he ruptured his Achilles in a post-season charity match for Chelsea in the summer of 2019.

“Stuff was playing in my mind about why it happened at such a good point in my career,” he said.

“It did take a while to process, to get those feelings out. Mentally, you’re a lot more experienced and calmer in the head and at peace with the past and looking to the future.”

Rodon blow for Wales boss Bellamy

Craig Bellamy says Wales can cope with a raft of absentees for their World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan after key defender Joe Rodon joined the list of withdrawals.

Leeds centre-back Rodon played the full 90 minutes of the 0-0 Premier League draw against Newcastle on Saturday but did not make the 3,000-mile trip to Astana due to concussion protocols.

Ethan Ampadu, Connor Roberts, Aaron Ramsey, Danny Ward, Nathan Broadhead, Jay Dasilva are also absent.

“It (injuries) has happened since I’ve been manager and, honestly, it was in the Nations League (last autumn),” Bellamy said at his pre-match press conference in Kazakhstan.

“I was using a lot of players then. Why was I using a lot of players?