FLAMIN' CHEEK

Red-hot Ruben fired up after seven-year itch

- by JEREMY CROSS

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK has no intention of pining for his lost years as an England international.

In fact, instead of being filled with regrets, the AC Milan midfielder has made peace with what could have been.

He is now determined to focus on what could still be when it comes to pulling on a Three Lions shirt.

Loftus-Cheek had the footballing world at his feet back in 2018 when he was part of the England squad which reached the World Cup semifinals in Moscow.

But that world then collapsed, culminating in a ruptured Achilles in a meaningless postseason friendly between Chelsea and New England Revolution in the United States.

The crushing blow saw him miss Chelsea’s Europa League final against Arsenal, before facing a long and painful road back to fitness.

But despite all of his problems, Loftus-Cheek never imagined it would be seven long years before he found himself back in the England squad.