When Phil Foden will return to England squad following birth of child

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is due to reunite with the England squad by the end of Thursday night following a brief trip home for the birth of his third child.

Having started each of England's group games but then flew home straight after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia, granted a temporary leave of absence by the FA over a "pressing family matter".

It later became apparent that the 24-year-old was expecting his third child with long-term partner Rebecca Cooke. She has since given birth to a baby boy, leaving Foden to return to Germany.

Reports suggest that he is travelling on Thursday evening with the intention of being able to participate in some form of training on Friday. England then face Slovakia in last 16 on Sunday.

Foden scored 27 goals in all competitions for Manchester City during the 2023/24 season and walked away with the FWA Footballer of the Year award, on top of the sixth Premier League title of his short career. But he has struggled to replicate that form in an England shirt this summer.

Having primarily been playing off the right flank and in a central role for City, Foden has been placed on the left for England. He hasn't found his feet in a tactical system that has so far failed to get the best out of the many world class talents at Gareth Southgate's disposal.

Helpfully for England, they reached the knockout stage as Group C winners without ever getting out of second gear and with considerable room still to grow into.

The Three Lions, searching for a first major trophy in men's international football since 1966, have also been handed the more favourable side of the tournament bracket as meeting Spain, Germany, France, Belgium or Portugal would be impossible until the final.

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