England profit with the family allowance

14 April 2012

The England players will have one last day - and night - with their loved ones this weekend before their Euro 2004 adventure begins in Portugal. England play Iceland at the City of Manchester Stadium tomorrow but instead of staying together until they depart for Lisbon on Monday, the squad will break up immediately afterwards.

The 23 players will go their separate ways to spend Sunday with their families before joining up at a Hertfordshire hotel around Monday lunchtime.

They will meet for lunch before flying to Portugal in mid-afternoon. Their first training session is scheduled for the following morning where it is expected that the squad will begin to gradually scale down their punishing schedule so that they are in peak condition for their opening Group B match against hot favourites France in Lisbon on Sunday 13 June.

The England players who were involved in the 1-1 draw with Japan admitted that, after a bright first 30 minutes, they felt tired and there has been eyebrows raised at the intensity of the fitness schedule planned for them by Italian Ivan Carminati.

Sven-Goran Eriksson learned lessons from England's 2002 World Cup experience where they tired in the second halves of all their matches.

The England coach was concerned at the fitness levels of the English players and Carminati, who is Lazio's coach, has been detailed to produce a programme which will ensure the England players are fitter this time around.

England captain David Beckham has no quarrel with the training schedule if the squad are at their physical peak when the tournament begins.

"We've been working hard over the last 10 days but it will start to calm down now," said the England captain. "The key is to peak at the right time, crucially against France on 13 June."

Beckham's confidence about England's task ahead also shone through when he said: "Is it our time? A lot of players have got that sort of feeling. We have to believe we can win the tournament and we have some experienced player, plus some young talented ones."

Chelsea central defender John Terry is a slight doubt for tomorrow's game against an Iceland team which will most likely include clubmate Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Terry picked up a knock in the match against Japan and missed training yesterday along with fullback Gary Neville (thigh injury), Sol Campbell (precautionary) and Phil Neville who had a temperature.

England will waste no time in winning points in the public relations battle when they arrive in Portugal since they are planning a special presentation to Portuguese football legend Eusebio, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the National Stadium, which is where England will train while they are in Lisbon.

Meanwhile, hopes that Hull manager Peter Taylor would rejoin England as their Under-21 coach looked forlorn today after the former England player failed to agree terms with the Football Association.

"We have been talking but I have a fantastic job at Hull and ultimately it didn't feel right," said Taylor.

MORE ABOUT

David Beckham

England profit with the family allowance

Read More