England on alert for scrap
FROM BACK PAGE 6ft 3in tall Ruben LoftusCheek – likely to come in for the injured Dele Alli – could prove very useful in midfield.
The FA are acutely aware of the issue and even Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez admits his players can take a rugged approach.
He said: “We’re a very organised team, we play tactically and sometimes our players look a bit tough, but other teams are also tough and physically strong.
“We never have the intention to be tough but they are strong men. We don’t try to hurt anyone – we have good intentions.”
England are set to feel the heat on Sunday, with the game against Panama kicking off at 3pm local time in the western Russian city and temperatures forecast to be about 31 deg C (88F).
It was 18 deg C yesterday when England trained at their base in Repino, with the heat having been an issue when they took on Tunisia in Volgograd in the opening match of their World Cup campaign.
It was 25 deg C even in the evening on Monday and there was a feeling some of the players ran out of steam in the second half.
England’s final game of the group stage will be in Kaliningrad, where conditions are expected be similar to those in Repino. TRANSFER NEWS LIVE
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