CHRIS Rigg will be back at Sunderland earlier than expected after England's Under-17s suffered a shock defeat to Uzbekistan in the round of 16 at the World Cup.

Rigg started and impressed for the Young Lions and created a first half goal for Manchester City's Joel Ndala as England cancelled out Uzbekistan's early opener. But the underdogs stunned England midway through the second half when they retook the lead - after Rigg had been substituted - and Ryan Garry's side were unable to find a way back into the game.

There was late controversy as Uzbekistan manager Jamoliddin Rahmatullayev was sent off after kicking the ball into the stands to delay a throw-in as England chased a late leveller.

But Uzbekistan held on and ended England's hopes of repeating the success from 2017 when the Young Lions - then managed by now Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper - lifted the trophy.

The early exit means Sunderland will have Rigg back on Wearside earlier than they'll have anticipated. The World Cup runs until a week on Saturday, December 2 but Rigg and his young England teammates will now head back from Indonesia to their clubs.

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Sunderland will share Rigg's disappointment at England's early exit but Tony Mowbray and his coaching staff will also be delighted to have the youngster back on Wearside ahead of a busy spell in the Championship.

With Rigg facing a long journey back from southeast Asia, Saturday's game at Plymouth will almost certainly come too soon for the 16-year-old, with Sunderland set to head for Devon on Friday. But the teenager will be back in the fold for next Wednesday's home game against Huddersfield Town.

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Sunderland's other internationals are now heading back to the Academy of Light ahead of domestic play resuming this weekend.

Trai Hume and Dan Ballard have both been away with Northern Ireland, though Ballard sat out of Monday's 2-0 win over Demark with a hamstring problem, which will be assessed by Sunderland when he returns. Ballard missed the win over Birmingham before the break through suspension and Mowbray will be desperately hoping his key defender isn't facing a spell on the sidelines.

Niall Huggins was away with Wales' senior squad for the first time but the full-back didn't make his debut in the draws against Armenia and Turkey, with Rob Page's side now facing a play-off in their bid to qualify for next summer's European Championships.

Jewison Benette twice came off the bench for Costa Rica in their CONCACAF Nations League quarter final defeat to Panama over two legs

Nectar Triantis has been in action for Australia's Under-23, Matthew Young got his first England youth cap, representing the under-19s and Timur Tutierov scored for Ukraine's Under-19s after receiving his first call-up.