TREE LIONS

England World Cup squad’s Russian forest hideaway where they will stay with Wags

OUR Three Lions aces and their Wags will spend the Russia World Cup based in a remote woodland hotel one guest described as a “Soviet sanatorium”. England manager Gareth Southgate picked t he secluded Club ForRestMix to give them some privacy. And with only the sleepy town of Repino nearby and an hour’s drive to St Petersburg, they will get plenty. A Booking. com reviewer branded it a “Soviet sanatorium” and its features i nclude a golf course with only six holes. The team’s training camp is even more isolated, sitting close to the Finnish border. A source said: “The boss wanted somewhere quiet where they can relax and enjoy their privacy. But it’s a double- edged sword as there’s a big chance they could end up feeling very bored.

“It’s not what they’re used to but there’s not much to distract the lads. The list of local attractions reads like the itinerary of a school trip.”

Players previously moaned of feeling bored when Fabio Capello’s squad were based at a purpose-built site for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

TripAdvisor lists Repino’s top attraction as the home of painter Ilya Repin, who lived there till his death in 1930 and gave the town its name. Two miles away is the Sigmund Freud Museum of Dreams – two rooms in a college basement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a lakeside dacha up the road and there is also a museum dedicated to revolution leader Lenin.

If players do want a little bit more excitement, they can visit local restaurant Zelive, which serves nosh in the day and strip shows at night.

But the source added: “I can’t see the Wags being keen on them going out to watch strippers!”