sport news Gareth Southgate backs Raheem Sterling over decision to fly home from World Cup ... trends now

England manager Gareth Southgate has thrown his full backing behind Raheem Sterling after the attacker flew home to comfort his family following a break-in at his Surrey home.

Sterling returned to the UK on Sunday night after it emerged his house had been burgled triggering security concerns for his family.

The Chelsea star has flown back to the England camp and is likely to be on the bench, given the recent turmoil, against France in Saturday’s quarter-final.

And Southgate has expressed his backing for Sterling, saying: ‘He has felt the need to support his family and to be there for his family and that is a simple decision for me – I have to support the player.

‘I remember Fabian Delph going home, his wife was expecting in Russia we did the same thing.

‘There are moments for every individual where family becomes most important. I’m always supportive of that.

‘Of course I want the best players available and want to win football matches but as a manager you have to recognise there are certain moments in people’s lives that are more important at that particular time.’

On Sterling’s availability for the game against France, Southgate added: ‘We will have to assess that. He has missed a lot of training and had two long flights.

‘That is not good preparation for a game of this standard but let’s see how he is.’

Meanwhile, Southgate has warned his players that Kylian Mbappe is not the only threat in the France team ahead of Saturday’s huge clash.

Much of the build-up has focused on how England plan to stop Mbappe, who is widely recognised as the best player in the world.

But, when asked how England plan to shackle Mbappe, Southgate told ITV Sport: ‘Well similar to the fact there will be a

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