RUBEN'S BACK IN DREAMLAND

RUBEN LOFTUSCHEEK says his World Cup dream helped keep him going during his seven-year England absence.

- JOHN CROSS

AC Milan star Loftus-Cheek made his long-awaited return as a 69th-minute sub against Wales and that has sparked his ambition to play in North America next summer.

Loftus-Cheek had been out in the cold since 2018 until Thomas Tuchel gave him a shock recall last month and then he finally got a chance at Wembley on Thursday.

It has been a long road back for LoftusCheek, who was a big part of Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad in 2018 but injuries have been a huge frustration in recent years.

The midfielder played under Tuchel at Chelsea and admits the target of playing in the World Cup has given him a fresh target.