CHRIS SMALLING might feel he still has a puncher’s chance of making the World Cup.
The Manchester United defender and wife Sam are staying fighting fit while on vacation in Thailand.
Smalling, 28, missed out on Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for Russia.
Now glamour model Sam has posted pictures of the couple showing their moves in Muay Thai Boxing.
Smalling is a former national schoolboy champion at judo.
So it must have made his training-ground exchanges with former United team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic interesting, given that the Swedish legend gained a Taekwon-do black belt at the age of 17.
Smalling chose football over judo when he was 15
But it is an unlucky 13 years later as he failed to make Southgate’s four-man list of centre-backs for this summer’s world Cup.
Going instead are Old Trafford pal Phil Jones, Manchester City under-achiever John Stones, Chelsea veteran Gary Cahill and Leicester’s Harry Maquire.
Smalling was even omitted from the standby names, although Burnley central defender James Tarkowski has now withdrawn from that to have a hernia operation
Meanwhile, former Fulham star Smalling, who has 31 caps, seems to have plenty of time in Thailand for both relaxing and keeping in shape.
He enjoyed drinks and a beach-side walk, as well as being snapped eyeing up a possible sea trip.
So that should mean there is at least one boat this summer he does not miss.
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