Bradford-born football star Fabian Delph considers himself both a team man and a family man but faces a clash between the two at the World Cup, with his third child due to arrive mid-tournament.

The Manchester City midfielder, who attended Tong Leadership Academy between 2001 and 2006, is delighted to be part of the England squad this summer but is facing a collision of responsibilities, with wife Natalie due to give birth on June 30.

That is two days after the Three Lions’ final group game against Belgium and two days before a prospective last-16 fixture should they top Group G.

Delph, who started his career in the Bradford City youth set-up, impressed City boss Pep Guardiola with his selfless performances out of position at left-back this season and though he is keen to give everything for England boss Gareth Southgate too, the possibility of flying home - and the risk of missing a match - has been discussed.

“We’re not 100 per cent certain, with a game on the 28th there might be an opportunity to fly back and then get back fast,” he said. “Gareth has been fantastic. There’s nothing more important than family to me: family always comes first and always will. If I do have the opportunity to get back I will, but if not she’s tough, she’s a Yorkshire lass so she’ll deal with it.”

As a Bradford boy who plans to pack a box of Yorkshire Tea for his trip to Russia, Delph is perfectly qualified for such a comment.

And although he does not know the gender of his new arrival he will be crossing his fingers for a football fan, given he is currently a minority of one in his own house.

Describing his reaction to his World Cup call-up despite last wearing the Three Lions in 2015, he said: “I was over the moon. I was doing cartwheels.

“But I’ve got two daughters, a baby on the way and the missus - and they all hate football. They couldn’t care less. It’s hard to watch it with my family - it’s like an agreement we have ‘no football’.

“If I’m on holiday, I’m doing stuff with my girls, letting them paint my nails pink and all that stuff.”

As for on-field matters, Delph is ready to perform whatever role is asked of him.

Such malleability earned him an unexpected run of games at full-back in place of the injured Benjamin Mendy this season, though Southgate may fancy him in a more familiar midfield slot.

“I’m a team player and I think the manager (Guardiola) values people like me, who pretty much put themselves last and put the team first,” he said.