Jude Bellingham has insisted he’s ‘feeling good’ after a few injuries for Real Madrid this season, having impressed off the bench in England’s narrow 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday night.
The midfielder was introduced in the second half to replace Harry Kane as captain after the Bayern Munich hitman had headed the Three Lions in front.
Bellingham has sometimes been hampered by injuries this season. He missed the early embers of the campaign with a shoulder problem after undergoing surgery last July.
He also suffered a hamstring injury in February, while he was rested by Real last month as a precaution.
But Bellingham has now moved to allay any fears over his fitness, with the 22-year-old insisting he’s fully fit and firing as the World Cup approaches.
“I’m feeling good,” he said after the victory in Florida.
“I’m probably a different way to into it than H [Harry Kane] but I am feeling good off the back of a tough season, with a couple of injuries for the first time in my career, but I feel strong. I feel excited, I feel ready.”
Jude Bellingham has insisted he’s ‘feeling good’ after a few injuries for Real Madrid this season, having impressed off the bench in England’s narrow 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday night
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PA
Jude Bellingham was impressive in England’s win over New Zealand on Saturday night
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PA
While England’s performance wasn’t perfect, the Three Lions did well enough in the searing heat.
Bellingham insists players will be ready for the high temperatures in North America, though admitted it would be ‘difficult’ coping in those conditions.
“We’re going to have to manage the game well at times and we want to play that full-force, high pressing, high tempo football – it’s going to be difficult in the heat and with the pitches,” he acknowledged.
England’s record at the World Cup | GETTY/ GB NEWS
“I think we adjusted well, both sets of players made a great effort to get out of the game what we had to do before the football. We’re pleased.”
Kane, meanwhile, has also discussed the sweltering heat.
The Bayern Munich striker, who bagged the 79th international goal of his career, was pleased England were able to come out on top as their World Cup opener with Croatia on June 17 creeps closer.
“It’s not easy,” he said.
“The heat is what we’re here for. We have to prepare for that, to prepare for the tournament.
“The pitch wasn’t great – hard to play the way we want to play. This is why we’re here, to adapt to it against a team who had a good low block.
Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game after England overcame New Zealand in Florida | PA
“We probably could have scored a couple more but we take the win and we know we are here for preparation more than the result.”
On his own condition, Kane says he’s never felt better.
“We spoke before the tournament at the [German] Cup final a couple of weeks ago – I think physically, mentally, it is the best shape I have been in in my career,” he added.
“We are going into a tough environment, a tough tournament, I am excited for it. The World Cup is the biggest tournament of all. I just can’t wait for it to get started.”
