Dele Alli will soon find out whether his ill-judged middle-finger gesture shall lead to suspension as FIFA’s disciplinary committee are set to decide his fate by Thursday.
Gareth Southgate’s men are on the brink of World Cup qualification ahead of next month’s Wembley encounter against Slovenia and the trip to Lithuania.
England tightened their grip on Group F by securing a 2-1 comeback win against Slovakia at the start of September, although victory was overshadowed somewhat by Alli’s offensive on-field gesture at Wembley.
TV footage showed the 21-year-old swearing shortly after a collision with Martin Skrtel, but the player was quick to stress that it was aimed at team-mate Kyle Walker rather than the officials or any Slovakia player.
FIFA still opened disciplinary proceedings in the wake of that incident and will decide what, if any, punishment Alli will face by Thursday – the day Southgate names his latest England squad.