Sam Thompson is no longer playing in this year’s Soccer Aid game, meaning he won’t have to face Louis Tomlinson on the pitch.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 32, was due to be teammates with Louis, 33, who is dating Sam’s ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott.
But Sam sustained injuries during his epic marathon challenge – in which he biked and jogged 260 miles from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford – leaving him unable to play.
He confirmed he won’t be playing on an appearance on This Morning.
‘I’m still very sore, still got the torn calf… I’m not going to be able to run around. You now have me as part of the management team. Come on England,’ he told Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond.
Saying his ‘legs are falling apart’, Sam will now be coaching with Wayne Rooney, boxer Tyson Fury, former manager, Harry Redknapp, Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure, and goalkeeper David James.
A source told The Sun: ‘Sam is gutted he can’t play, but the match has just come too soon since his efforts.
‘He’s still going to be a presence and play a big part in the coverage but he won’t be able to compete on the field.’
They added: ‘There is a small blessing in his withdrawal as the focus on him and Louis will disperse.
‘Their every move will be watched so it’s a relief in some ways they won’t be on the pitch together.’
Sam will play a ‘ceremonial role’ in Sunday’s match, kicking off the game before taking his spot on the sidelines.
Sam and Louis were pictured training this week at Soccer Aid HQ in Tring, Hertfordshire, where the England and Rest of the World teams are preparing for the big day.
Throughout training, they were seen passing the ball around with fellow teammates, who include Tom Grennan, Bear Grylls, Paddy McGuinness, Wayne Rooney, and Jill Scott.
One photo showed them posing for a team photo, with Louis standing directly behind Sam, while another showed Sam standing close by Louis as they trained.
Last year I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! winner Sam split from his long-time girlfriend Zara, who rose to fame appearing on Love Island.
The couple had been together for five years, however three months later Zara, was spotted on a date in Suffolk with Louis.
Since being spotted together in March, Louis and Zara have taken romantic trips away together to Los Angeles and Costa Rica.
At the time, a source said Sam was ‘hurting’ and was struggling after seeing his ex ‘move on so quickly’.
Not long after the new romance was confirmed, it was revealed that the men were set to meet on live TV after both signing up for the Soccer Aid for Unicef match in June, where they will both be playing on the England team.
Meanwhile Sam has now moved on himself too, and is dating another Love Island star – Samie Eilishi, 25.
He’s also been plenty busy with his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for Unicef, which saw take on a 260-mile run and cycle over five days.
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Last Wednesday, Sam passed through Walsall, Cannock, Stafford and Stone to reach his third finish line at Vale Park, where he saw his best mate and podcast co-host Pete Wicks.
He told Metro of the meaningful moment: ‘And then you see somebody who’d been your rock through everything, just at some random junction, like in the middle of the road.
‘I can’t explain the feeling. It’s just like, it’s like seeing home when you are miles away.’
Sam crossed the finish line of the 260-mile endurance challenge on June 6, which saw him raise £1.5million for charity.
Sam had previously poked fun at Sam on their podcast, addressing his ‘rivalry’ with Louis.
‘How do you feel about the lineup? Do you think you have a strong team? Any kind of people in there that you’re looking forward to playing with?’ he asked.
Laughing but avoiding referencing Louis, Sam listed other stars he was looking forward to playing with.
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