Rashford missing again as England prepare for World Cup opener

Marcus Rashford was again absent from England training as the World Cup opener against Tunisia edged closer.

The 20-year-old bolstered his chances of starting Monday’s Group G clash with a man-of-the-match display in the 2-0 friendly send-off win against Costa Rica last Thursday.

However, Rashford’s hopes of featuring against Tunisia appear to be diminishing after missing a second day of training in Russia with a knee complaint.

The Football Association indicates it is a precautionary measure and manager Gareth Southgate called it a “slight knock” upon England’s arrival.

Rashford also attempted to allay concerns about his fitness on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

“Thanks for the messages I’ve been getting,” he posted.

“Picked up a slight niggle but nothing to worry about ???? #ThreeLions?”

After Trippier’s press conference, Chelsea defender Gary Cahill took on – and beat – Daily Mail columnist Charles Sale in a game of darts at the media centre.

A ‘Players’ and ‘Press’ scoring chart was kept, with the indication being that this could be the first in a series of darts matches between the squad and the media.

The media centre also contains a ten-pin bowling alley and Trippier joined Jesse Lingard and Alexander-Arnold in a game, as the assembled media looked on.