He would have preferred to have been at Wembley Stadium as England were thrashing the Czech Republic 5-0 in their first Euro 2020 qualifier, but Jesse Lingard has been far from sitting around sulking.
The Manchester United attacker has been in Dubai this week to work on his fitness having been out with a hamstring problem in recent weeks.
And after a few days of hard graft, he treated himself to a meal at Salt Bae's Nusr-Et steakhouse at the Four Seasons resort, and filmed the occasion for his six million Instagram followers.
The restaurant has been the go-to eaterie for the world's top footballers, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi and Romelu Lukaku dining there in the past year.
Lingard started Manchester United's last match - the 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup - but didn't join the England squad as his fitness was deemed to be lacking for the international double-header.
Instead he has been at the Nad Al Sheba complex doing shuttle runs, lifting weights and making the most of the facilities which are regularly visited by Premier League clubs looking to benefit from the warmer climate.
Meanwhile, Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy has also been in the UAE as he aims to return to full fitness after a knee injury.
The French left-back visited the Transform Altitude Performance Center in Dubai, which was graced by teammate David Silva earlier in the week.
Mendy also visited another well-trodden destination among footballers - Saif Belhasa's private zoo which features a range of exotic animals.
Mendy, who has been staying at the Bulgari Resort, also visited the Shaikha Latifa Bin Mana Al Maktoum mosque and Dubai Mall.
Injuries have restricted him to just 13 Premier League starts since signing from Monaco for £52 million in July 2017.
City are next in action against Fulham on Saturday, March 30, while United are at home to Watford on the same day.
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England's no-cap club James Maddison, Leicester City: Made the squad in October but was unused. Just a matter of time for the creative midfielder. Chance of a cap - 10/10. Getty Images
Alfie Mawson, Fulham: Cost £20m and was tipped for big things but has struggled this season. Chance of a cap: 6/10. PA via AP
Mark Noble, West Ham United: More than 400 games but forever overlooked. Chance of a cap - 2/10. Getty Images
Troy Deeney, Watford: Proven in the Premier League and enjoying a decent season but not mobile enough. Chance of a cap - 4/10. Action Images via Reuters
Ryan Bennett, Wolverhampton Wanderers: A mainstay at the back as Wolves impress. At 29, probably too old now. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Getty Images
Conor Coady, Wolverhampton Wanderers: Calls in the media for the defender to be included after a super season. Chance of a cap - 8/10. Action Images via Reuters
Michail Antonio, West Ham United: Came close a few years ago when an unused substitute but has slipped down the pecking order. Chance of a cap - 4/10. Getty Images
Andre Gray, Watford: Has just about managed to reach Premier League standard but will never make it to England level. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Getty Images
Will Hughes, Watford: Progress was stunted by injuries but now an important part of a vibrant team. Chance of a cap - 6/10. Reuters
Charlie Austin, Southampton: Always a goal threat but offers little else and doesn't play regularly enough. Chance of a cap - 2/10. Reuters
Jack Stephens, Southampton: His side have leaked goals and could be set for the drop. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Reuters
Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle: Powerhouse defender is now in his prime. Needs his side to move up the table and qualify for Europe. Chance of a cap - 7/10. Action Images via Reuters
Marc Albrighton, Leicester City: Missed the boat when they won the Premier League in 2016. Hard worker but lacks fizz compared to Sancho and Sterling. Chance of a cap - 4/10. Action Images via Reuters
Demarai Gray, Leicester City: Highly rated and still young, he needs a regular start. Chance of a cap - 9/10. Action Images via Reuters
Rob Holding, Arsenal: Only a smattering of appearances for his club, though at 23 he has many years ahead and could get some Champions League action. Chance of a cap - 8/10. Action Images via Reuters
Danny Simpson, Leicester City: Well down the pecking order now, his best years are behind him. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Reuters
Jonathan Hogg: Huddersfield: Unfashionable midfielder set for relegation. Chance of a cap - 1/10. PA via AP
Tommy Smith, Huddersfield: Well short of desired standard, set for relegation, Chance of a cap - 1/10. Getty Images
Joe Bryan, Fulham: Left footers are few and far between but could be hampered by relegation. Chance of a cap - 4/10. Getty Images
Marcus Bettinelli, Fulham: Has made the squad but since lost his place with his club. His time should come again with such a shortage of keepers. Chance of a cap - 8/10. Getty Images
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton: Has won a regular club start up front and impressed in patches. Has years ahead of him. Chance of a cap - 8/10. Reuters
Bobby Reid, Cardiff City: Has made an impact but may not get another shot at the top flight if Cardiff go down. Chance of a cap - 4/10. Getty Images
Sean Morrison, Cardiff City: Club stalwart but destined to miss out on international football. Chance of a cap - 2/10. Action Images via Reuters
Jonjoe Kenny: Has played 13 times for England U21s and is being utilised intermittently by his club. At 22 he should develop further. Chance of a cap - 7/10. Reuters
Joe Bennett, Cardiff: Experienced but at 28 is likely to be overlooked for younger players and has Luke Shaw well ahead of him. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Reuters
Connor Wickham, Crystal Palace: Showed so much promise as a youngster but cruelly hit by serious injuries. Needs a season or two of regular matches and goals. Chance of a cap - 5/10. Getty Images
Scott Dann: Injuries held him back just as he was impressing. Now 32. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Action Images via Reuters
James Tomkins, Crystal Palace: Doesn't make the headlines but is a club regular. Chance of a cap - 5/10. Getty Images
Joel Ward, Crystal Palace: Versatile but England need specialists and is short of Eric Dier's quality as the utility man. Chance of a cap - 2/10. Getty Images
Ashley Westwood, Burnley: Has seen teammates Tarkowski and Heaton called up but hasn't made enough of an impact in midfield. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Reuters
Ben Mee, Burnley: Has been consistent for a few years and if Tarkowski can win a cap, so can he. Chance of a cap - 8/10. Reuters
Matthew Lowton, Burnley: Too much competition at right back and now 29. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Getty Images
Glenn Murray, Brighton: Has shown that age is no barrier in the Premier League but it is when it comes to picking the England squad. Unfortunate given the paucity of strikers. Chance of a cap - 2/10. Reuters
Solly March, Brighton: Rumours of interest from Arsenal for the midfielder. That would certainly help his cause after a decent season. Chance of a cap - 7/10. Reuters
Dale Stephens, Brighton: The midfielder admits he won't get fans off their seats. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Getty Images
Junior Stanislas, Bournemouth: Winger has a knack for scoring but is well short of international class and approaching 30. Chance of a cap - 3/10. Action Images via Reuters
Jordon Ibe, Bournemouth: Has failed to fulfill his early promise although he declined switching to Nigeria. Chance of a cap - 5/10. Getty Images
Andrew Surman, Bournemouth: Played for England U21s and declined an approach from South Africa. His time has now gone at 32. Chance of a cap - 1/10. Reuters.
Dan Gosling, Bournemouth: Tough midfielder isn't assured of a place for his club. Chance of a cap - 1/10. Getty Images
Adam Smith, Bournemouth: 11 U21 caps but well down the pecking order at right back. At 27, he needs to step up now. Chance of a cap - 4/10. Reuters
Charlie Daniels, Bournemouth: Has done brilliantly to step up the leagues but has fallen short of international recognition. Chance of a cap - 2/10. Getty Images
Steve Cook, Bournemouth: Another to step up the leagues and do well in the top flight. Chance of a cap - 4/10. Action Images via Reuters
Simon Francis, Bournemouth: Nearing the end of his career. Chance of a cap - 1/10. Action Images via Reuters
Updated: March 23, 2019, 8:36 AM