WE WON’T GO DOWN THE PAN..

Sunderland winger winning his fitness battle

PANAMA coach Hernan Gomez is working on his players’ fitness to ensure they are not outclassed by their Group G rivals England and Belgium.

The Central Americans face the Belgians on Monday before meeting Gareth Southgate’s men in their second match a week tomorrow. Panama, who have won just two of their last nine games, were crushed 6-0 by Switzerland in March but Gomez says his minnows won’t be annihilated in Russia.

Gomez said: “We are going to face rivals with a very good physical level. That is why we have concentrated on fitness.

“A 6-0 can happen in a World Cup if you do not have the necessary concentration, it can happen to a team making its debut.”

Gomez is heading into his fifth World Cup after two stints as Colombia’s assistant coach and another as technical director. He also led Ecuador to the World Cup in 2002.

IN THE RUNNING Khazri goes through his paces in training as he tries to get match-fit to face England