England stars relax in pool - with Bellingham showing injury scar before huge clash against reigning champions Argentina

ENGLAND stars including Harry Kane, Declan Rice, John Stones and Nico O’Reilly chilled out with yoga, table tennis and swimming pool fun yesterday.

Captain Harry stretched his muscles using a resistance band on a yoga mat at the team’s training base in Kansas City.

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Other stars were seen having a splashing time playing pool basketball as they recovered from their exhausting 2-1 extra time victory over Norway on Saturday.

Coach Thomas Tuchel is keen to balance rest with lighter workouts for his stars who will need to be on top form tomorrow night as they take on Lionel Messi’s world champs.

The team will fly to Atlanta later today after a last training session at Kansas City’s Swope Soccer Village complex.

In the pool Bellingham could be seen relaxing, with the large scar visible from shoulder surgery last August.

The England’s ace’s shoulder has sent the Argentine media into a frenzy after images emerged of Bellingham clutching the top of his arm during the 2-1 win over Norway on Saturday.

Bellingham, who stillsuffers from stiffness from the injury, insists it does not affect him during games.

A Three Lions insider said: “They’ve recovered well and are looking forward to the game.”

Jordan Pickford has vowed England will keep their heads against any dark arts they may face against Argentina.

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The Three Lions take on the reigning champions in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta – 28 years on from a wound-up David Beckham being sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone.

Argentina have a number of players in their ranks with reputations for gamesmanship, including Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and goalie Emi Martinez.

But fellow stopper Pickford is sure Thomas Tuchel’s side will continue to keep their cool, as they have throughout this World Cup.

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The 32-year-old said: “I think you’ve seen throughout the tournament our desire to win tackles. We’ve not gotten into any scuffles or anything.

“We’ve been very well respectful within the game. Decisions go our way, they don’t go our way.

“We just reset, we go again and we let the football do the talking.

“I think that’s what we’ve done throughout the tournament.

“Apart from Jarell (Quansah, who was sent off against Mexico), we’ve not had any suspensions, no second yellow cards or anything like that.

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“It just shows our mentality we have and we don’t get wrapped up in things like that.

“We stay focused, we stay together.”

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