Reece James has sent a subtle dig towards Gareth Southgate about his decision to leave the Chelsea star out of England's 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup.
The full-back sent a message out via social media earlier in the week to describe his frustration, writing: "Devastated. The minute I injured my knee, I knew the turn around to make the World Cup would be tight, but I always felt it was possible.
"I've worked harder than I ever thought I could to give myself the best chance of going and truly believed | could help the team. I appreciate there was risk on both sides but it was one I was willing to take. Good luck to the boys. I'll be back soon. Stay safe & sending love."
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The injury, which happened on October 11 against AC Milan, was said to keep him out for eight weeks by the club, a timeframe which would have him returning around December 11. If James was to recover in accordance with that then he could have been fit for the quarter-finals, but using that as a reason to pick the 22-year-old was something Southgate said could be deemed "arrogant".
Former England boss Roy Hodgson then stated that he was 'not really in favour of what Reece James has done' after seeing the message. Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips were both included in the squad despite their own lack of recent playing time, with the Manchester City right-back also yet to return to action from injury.
After the full squad was announced on Thursday, James then made his further disappointment clear, liking a post on Twitter that criticised Southgate's decision.
In the tweet, a quote from Paul Merson reads: "I just find it weird that Gareth Southgate is willing to gamble on Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker but not Reece James? If it was Harry Kane, he would be going - what's the difference?
"If it was Harry Kane, they would say, 'right we'll take him and use him after the group stages'. We need to take one of our best players. I just don't understand it. Reece James is as important as Harry Kane."
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