England have begun preparations for Wednesday's illustrious friendly at Wembley with Brazil.
The bad news for manager Roy Hodgson, however, is that only 11 outfield players were available to fully train today.
The
withdrawals of the injured Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick and the
absence of the unfit Daniel Sturridge had significantly contributed to
the depleted numbers available to Hodgson to train, with others involved
yesterday in the Premier League instead limited to a warm-down session.
Put through their paces: The limited numbers available to England began training today
Elder statesman: Jack Butland is temporarily England's most senior goalkeeper
Watchful eye: Hodgson observes Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Ashley Cole in training
Joe
Hart and Jack Butland remain the only senior goalkeepers in Roy
Hodgson's full squad but with Hart among those only warming down,
Middlesbrough's inexperienced Jason Steele has been added to the
training squad to aid preparations for Wednesday's fixture.
Hodgson
is expected to announce further squad changes today, incidentally, in
response to the withdrawals of Carrick and Defoe and because of
Sturridge's inability to train.
The
forward has discussed his fitness with the England manager and, though
reluctant to do so, is expected to accept that he will be unable to play
any part against Brazil and could therefore leave the England camp.
Heart-to-heart: Sturridge could withdraw from England's squad after this conversation with Hodgson
All as one: The England senior team alongside the U21s and U19s
All smiles: Wayne Rooney shares a joke with Glen Johnson
Safe hands? Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jason Steele is entirely unproven at the highest level
Ashley
Cole, however, was among the 11 available to Hodgson today, meaning he
remains on course to follow Peter Shilton, David Beckham, Bobby Moore,
Bobby Charlton, Billy Wright and Steven Gerrard and become the seventh
England player to reach 100 caps.
His
presence is a real positive for England given the intimidating prospect
of facing both Ronaldinho and Neymar, but even for all of the latter's
reputation as one of the world's greatest talents, another of Hodgson's
defenders, Phil Jagielka, has revealed his international team-mates are
yet to truly know what it is they can expect from him.
'I don't know a lot about Neymar,' Jagielka said. 'We don't see a lot of footage. He plays in Brazil so it is tough for us.
Limited numbers: But England's ranks are expected to swell before Wednesday's friendly
Coaching conference: Roy Hodgson, Gary Neville and Stuart Pearce in discussion
Midfield rivals: Frank Lampard, Leon Osman and Tom Cleverley will all hope to feature in England's midfield
'But we have video analysis people when we meet up with England and they will have plenty of footage for us to review.
'They will pick out his good points and bad ones. I am sure the good points will be going on for hours.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2273178/England-begin-training-Wembley-friendly-Brazil.html#ixzz2JwcLfvDV
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