SAM Thompson has been ruled out of playing in this year’s Soccer Aid, escaping an awkward on pitch encounter with Louis Tomlinson.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 32, was due to play in the same England side as One Direction star Louis, 33, who is now dating Sam’s ex Zara McDermott.
But he has now pulled out due to injuries sustained in his epic marathon challenge, in which he made the gruelling 260-mile trip from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford via foot and bike.
A source said: “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.”
The source 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 and Louis were pictured training this week at Soccer Aid HQ in Tring, Herts, where the England and Rest of the World teams are preparing for the match.
Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury will be managing the England team, assisted by Harry Redknapp, while ex-Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel will be in charge of the Rest of the World team.
Sam will play a “ceremonial role” in Sunday’s match, kicking off the game before heading into the stands.
On his absence, England teammate Mo Farah said: “If Sam’s unable to play that’s a shame but we’re still proud of him for his efforts and what he did for UNICEF.
“He’ll still be with us and part of our team on the day.”
Pete Wicks takes massive swipe at Sam Thompson’s ex Zara McDermott amid Love Island star’s romance with Louis Tomlinson
It comes after Sam met Louis on the pitch during training on Thursday.
He was spotted smiling at the One Direction singer - who is dating his ex Zara.
Sam has been open about feeling low over his split from Zara, after their breakup in December.
The reality TV couple were in a relationship for five years, but decided to go their separate ways, with Zara being spotted with on a cosy dinner with Louis in March.
Louis and Zara were spotted on a cosy dinner date at The Suffolk in Aldeburgh, after a fellow diner secretly snapped the pair together.
Sam had moved on briefly with Love Island star, Samie Elishi, and were spotted smooching at Olivia Attwood’s 34th birthday bash in May.
He spoke about feeling heartbroken following his split from Zara and how he'd "let himself go" in the weeks after their breakup.
Sam's best friend Pete Wicks had asked him about his 'glow up' plans amid his new single life.
"It was a pretty tough time back then. I was thinking 'God, you really let yourself go'," Sam said on the duo's podcast, Staying Relevant.
"Now I've got myself to a place where I'm like, I feel like I'm happy and I'm comfortable in my own skin again, if you know what I mean."
Days before that, Pete took a massive swipe at Zara.
He delivered the scathing dig as Sam tackled a 260-mile endurance challenge on both bike and foot in aid of Unicef ahead of Soccer Aid.
Cheering him on from the roadside, Towie alum Pete, 37, shared a snap holding a sign that read, “You caaaaaan,” echoing Zara’s infamous plea to then-boyfriend Sam on Made in Chelsea after she admitted to cheating a year into their relationship.
Sam also opened up about what he would say to Louis when he saw him at Soccer Aid.
The TV star explained how he was doing an interview ahead of Soccer Aid endurance challenge and the journalist asked him, "I’ve got to ask the question that everyone wants to know... What’s it going to be like with you and Louis? Obviously he’s doing Soccer Aid too.”
Sam told Pete how his PR team panicked when the question was put to him, but he assured them it would be fine and proceeded to handle it diplomatically.
"I think I did alright and I meant everything I said as well, that it’s not about me or Louis or who anyone is dating, it’s f**king Unicef and charity and everyone is going to be there for the exact same reason," Sam explained.
"And if he has anything about him which I’ve heard he does, he’s going to sit there and say the exact same thing.’
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