Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek included in Gareth Southgate’s 55-man England squad for World Cup in Qatar

CHELSEA star Ruben Loftus-Cheek has made it into Gareth Southgate’s provisional 55-man England squad for the World Cup.

The Blues midfielder, 26, was included in the Three Lions’ squad for the Russia World Cup four years ago.

PA

Loftus-Cheek has shown his versatility so far this season[/caption]

PA

Southgate previously took Loftus-Cheek to the 2018 World Cup[/caption]

But he has not been capped by Southgate since November 2018, falling out of favour after a number of injury problems.

However, according to The Athletic, he has been included in the England manager’s huge 55-player list which he will need to trim down to 26 later this month.

Loftus-Cheek has started 10 of Chelsea‘s 12 Premier League games so far this season.

Speaking last week about the possibility of making the World Cup squad, he said: “It would be amazing. It would mean a lot.

“Going into the 2018 World Cup you see your trajectory go upwards and to be at the next World Cup if everything goes well.

“A lot has happened in that time and I am just happy and grateful that I am fit and healthy and playing football now consistently.

“If I go to the World Cup it would mean the world — but that is not at the forefront of my mind now.

“It would be selfish to think about my personal aspirations rather than the club at the moment.”

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Loftus-Cheek earned most of his 10 England caps during the 2017/18 season while out on loan at Crystal Palace.

He then returned to Chelsea but faced several fitness issues which plagued his career.

Now, though, he seems to be thriving under Graham Potter – who has used him as both a central midfielder and right wingback.

And that could be useful for England following injuries to full-backs Reece James and Kyle Walker.

In midfield, Three Lions fans are also waiting to hear whether Kalvin Phillips will recover in time for the tournament – which begins for England on November 21 when they take on Iran.

Southgate has to trim his squad to 26 players by November 14, although England are set to name theirs four days earlier.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Brighton duo Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck were included as surprise selections in the provisional 55-man roster.