Estonia star Artur Pikk soldiers on as he resumes national service after England game

THERE was no prospect of any rest for Estonia left-back Artur Pikk after the defeat by England as he returned to barracks in Tallinn to resume national service.

Pikk had to return to base straight after the game against England

While Raheem Sterling found himself engulfed in a storm after telling Roy Hodgson he was feeling tired, Pikk left the A Le Coq Stadium not in a tracksuit but in his soldier uniform.

Pikk, 21, had been allowed to join up with the national team, but was ordered to be back by midnight.

As an elite athlete, his national service will last three months, as opposed to eight, and his first three weeks are effectively spent in quarantine.

The defender plays for Levadia in Tallinn and, prior to the England game, his only other appearance for Estonia had been a five minute run-out against Tajikistan in June.