Flying visit home for Delph

Moscow, June 30: England midfielder Fabian Delph took an early ticket back home to be with his wife, who is expected to give birth to their third child on Saturday. The 28-year-old midfielder, who has 13 caps, on Friday flew to England from Kaliningrad after playing in the 0-1 defeat to Belgium on Thursday. Delph had known the issue could arise when he was originally chosen for the World Cup squad, saying that his wife was "tough; she's from (the county of Yorkshire) so she can deal with it." However, he also thanked coach Gareth Southgate for giving permission for his return to be with his wife as she gives birth. "Gareth Southgate has been fantastic; there is nothing more important than my family for me," said Delph, who is expected to fly back after the birth to continue work as England look to book a place in the quarter-finals with a win over Colombia on Tuesday. IANS