CLUBS GIVE ROY’S BOYS EURO BOOST
ROY HODGSON will take the best-prepared England team ever to next month’s European Championship thanks to unprecedented back-up from Premier League clubs. Since the debacle of the last World Cup in Brazil, the FA have been urging clubs to share the year-round performance data they collect on all their players — and now they will get it.
Sportsmail understands that the relationships built with club medical staff by England team doctor Ian Beasley and chief physiotherapist Gary Lewin have been crucial in making this important breakthrough. The data is certain to be of huge value to England manager Hodgson and his coaching team in France this summer. For the first time England’s coaches will have access to performance figures collected throughout the season — during training sessions, matches and other tests — for every player in the squad.
That means Hodgson can tailor preparation for each individual in the run-up to the opening Group B game against Russia on June 11. The data can indicate if a player needs more rest or perhaps more fitness work. This could prove vital when preparing players such as Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson, who are only just back from injury.
The information can also show if a player is suffering fatigue that could make them susceptible to injury. It is that kind of detail that will help Hodgson select his line-up and could be useful when it comes to cutting his squad from 26 to 23 before leaving for France.
This innovation is a big deal for the FA and was highlighted by Dan Ashworth, FA technical director, when he told Sportsmail last year that he hoped to secure such an agreement. ‘There’s some sensitivity around medical records and data but ultimately everyone’s interests are the same,’ he said. ‘We all want good young players coming through the academies. A successful England team benefits everyone. So why not have a situation where everyone would share the data?’
That day has arrived, with the clubs agreeing that pooling information benefits them and the player as much as it does the national team.
Hodgson has three warm-up games, starting with Turkey at the Etihad on Sunday, before facing Australia and Portugal. Against Turkey it is understood Hodgson is keen to look at Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy as an attack partnership. His other three forwards are not available because of commitments with Manchester United or Liverpool.
He may also experiment with a diamond formation, deploying Dele Alli behind Kane and Vardy.
Newcastle winger Andros Townsend is likely to be one of the fresher players, having hardly played in the first half of a season spent at Tottenham. He did not make a Premier League start for Spurs after a touchline row with the club’s fitness coach on November 4.
After Townsend apologised, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino did say he could return to the squad but he never played another first-team game for the club — his only competitive football coming in the Under 21 side — and was sold to Newcastle in January. ‘I’m just warming up and getting into my stride,’ said Townsend, whose strong finish to the season for Newcastle has seen him earn selection ahead of Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.
‘I’m feeling great, though I’m disappointed the season ended when it did. It was no secret that I wasn’t playing enough football (at Tottenham) and my confidence was low. I needed to get back playing week in, week out.
‘It’s a shame I couldn’t help Newcastle stay up but on a personal level it’s worked out. I knew if I got back to my best I could get in the England squad.’
Townsend admits he endured some tough times during that first half of the season at Spurs. ‘It was difficult,’ he said. ‘When you’re going to Chester on a Monday night to play against Liverpool’s Under 21s you don’t see yourself making the England squad for the Euros six months later.
‘The lowest point was probably when I was playing for the Under 21s and the boys were winning games at the top of the league. I did wonder what would happen with my career so I’m grateful that Newcastle paid a lot of money and helped me get back on track.
‘I always had enough faith in my ability to know that if I got the chance to play regularly I’d get my form back. In the last few weeks I’ve been close to my best.’
But his focus now is on securing a place in England’s final 23 and avoiding the heartache of two years ago.
‘Missing the World Cup through injury was the lowest point in my career,’ he said. ‘Now I’ve got the chance to put that to rest.’ CHELSEA midfielder Lewis Baker scored the only goal as England Under 21s got their Toulon Tournament off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Portugal. Gareth Southgate’s side next face Guinea on Monday.