Raheem Sterling will return to England’s World Cup base in Qatar on Friday

BREAKING NEWS: England confirm Raheem Sterling WILL return to their World Cup base in Qatar on Friday and re-join the squad after flying home to tend to his family following burglary at his £6m mansion

Raheem Sterling is expected to rejoin the England squad on Friday, 24 hours before they face France in the World Cup quarter-final.

The 27-year-old left Doha ahead of the Three Lions’ 3-0 win over Senegal following reports of a break-in at his home in Surrey.

As Sportsmail reported this morning, the FA had been instructed to look into the logistics of a return. 

Raheem Sterling is set to return to England’s World Cup training base on Friday  

Thieves broke into the father of three's £6million gated home in Surrey on Saturday night

Thieves broke into the father of three’s £6million gated home in Surrey on Saturday night

Raheem Sterling's partner Paige and their three children were not inside their home at the time of the raid

Raheem Sterling’s partner Paige and their three children were not inside their home at the time of the raid

And in a brief statement, they have now confirmed Sterling’s plans. The statement read: ‘Raheem Sterling will return to England’s World Cup base in Qatar.

‘The Chelsea forward temporarily left to attend to a family matter but is now expected to rejoin the squad in Al Wakrah on Friday ahead of the quarter-final with France.’ 

Sterling will have missed large chunks of vital preparation and is highly unlikely to start on Saturday night. 

Private security have been patrolling the estate in Surrey (picture taken on Monday morning)

Private security have been patrolling the estate in Surrey (picture taken on Monday morning) 

Harry Maguire (pictured) has spoken out in solidarity with fellow England star Sterling following a burglary at the player's Surrey estate

Harry Maguire (pictured) has spoken out in solidarity with fellow England star Sterling following a burglary at the player’s Surrey estate

However, he will provide an added option, especially should England progress to the semi-final and potentially beyond.

Shortly after it emerged that Sterling was to leave on Sunday evening Sterling’s spokesperson said armed raiders had entered his property while his family were at home and that he was, understandably, keen to get back. 

However, police later said that the theft, of jewellery and watches, had been discovered when the family returned from Qatar and added that they had received no reports of armed intruders.

Surrey Police said on Wednesday morning that they had arrested two men on suspicion of burglary following reports of suspicious activity in Oxshott and were working to establish whether those held were connected to the break-in at Sterling’s home, which is nearby. 

Sterling is among dozens of top-flight footballers who have had their homes targeted by thieves

Sterling is among dozens of top-flight footballers who have had their homes targeted by thieves

The men were spotted acting suspiciously in a garden on Tuesday night with a helicopter and dog unit deployed.

A short time later, the force issued a further statement saying that they did not believe there to be a connection. 

They are continuing to investigate the report of burglary at Sterling’s home and are yet to make any arrests. 

A spokesperson added: ‘Officers are carrying out enquiries into the circumstances and the investigation remains on going.’