Harry Maguire's brother excused from friendly with 'Russian flu'

Laurence Maguire has been given permission to miss Chesterfield's opening pre-season friendly this weekend and watch his brother Harry play for England in the World Cup quarter-finals — after being diagnosed with a case of 'Russian flu'.

The Chesterfield defender has been given special dispensation to fly out to Samara to see Gareth Southgate's side take on Sweden for a place in the semi-final by boss Martin Allen.

And the former Barnet manager announced the player's temporary lay-off with a typically tongue-in-cheek note to fans.

'Laurence Maguire has unfortunately picked up Russian flu, which is obviously quite disappointing,' he started.

'I've had a word with him this morning and told him that this afternoon he's got to fly out to Russia to have some medical tests. He's got to be back here for training on Monday.

'The bad news is the fact that he's got Russian 'flu. The good news is that he's going to fly to Russia to see his brother play for England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

'He's absolutely thrilled and he's sorted it out with his family that he's going. It's great for our club that one of our players is going to be watching England play.'

The Maguire brothers both headed out to Euro 2016 in France two years ago as fans and Laurence has already been in Russia with his family this summer to cheer on his older sibling.

Maguire has played in every game so far in Russia for the Three Lions, starting three while coming off the bench for the second half of the defeat by Belgium in the last group game.

Chesterfield will now be without Laurence for their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday when they face Sheffield FC.

The match has been moved to a midday kick-off slot in order not to clash with England's match against Sweden in Samara, which gets underway at 3pm.