Ruben Loftus-Cheek hopeful of making England World Cup squad after 'scary' injury

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is hopeful he can make England's squad for this summer's World Cup after returning to action from a "scary" ankle injury.

Loftus-Cheek came on for the final few minutes of Crystal Palace's 2-0 win away to Huddersfield on Saturday following nearly three months out with an ankle issue he sustained against Arsenal.

Before the injury, the midfielder had cemented his place in Roy Hodgson's Palace side and earned a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for friendlies against Germany and Brazil - being named man of the match for his assured performance on his debut against Joachim Low's men.

Despite there only being seven more Premier League games left for Loftus-Cheek to play in for Palace this season, the 22-year-old is still hopeful of making Southgate's final squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer.

"The ankle is feeling much better. It was a scary moment for me in December," Loftus-Cheek told Sky Sports.

"I'm happy to be back in training. Hopefully I can use this break to work on my fitness and be back.

"I've really enjoyed myself and the time I've had on the pitch, the opportunity to play for England. It's been a good season apart from the injury."

When then asked about the World Cup, he replied: "In my head it's try and play as well as I can. There are seven games left.

"If I can get as much game time as possible, who knows what can happen?"