Marcus Rashford returns to England training at World Cup

Jordan Pickford, who is likely to get the nod in goal, has kept clean sheets in two of his three global caps, and against a Tunisia side likely to play with little attacking intent, I think he can add another. I’ve seen about 10 England fans, there’s more Russians in England shirts.

“Of course, we want to go all the way to the final, but we are going to take each game as it comes and prepare for each game as we normally do”.

A jovial Delph refused to give the game away at a Saturday news conference in Repino, even feigning mock surprise over the widespread reports he has not made the cut.

Lingard is confident there will be no knock-on effect at the end of an arduous Premier League season, saying there is “definitely a freshness” about a young group blessed with the odd bit of experience and no little pace.

“We tried to put in as much tactical information in the early part of the week so that Sunday’s session was about enjoyment, feeling the ball and being physically ready for the game”.

“Gareth understands how important family is to me and he’s the same as well”, he said.

“I think for certain players they would like to know, so they can get themselves prepared.

They’ve got fantastic players, a fantastic team and that’s what makes the World Cup exciting to watch”. “If a World Cup cannot inspire a nation, then I’m not sure what can”, said the English FA technical director Dan Ashworth.

“I think I’d be able to take those things in and focus on the job now because I’m more experienced”.

“So coming into this camp, it’s not like I’m a fish out of water”.

“He’s empathetic, he’s articulate, he’s got high emotional intelligence, he’s got a really good understanding of connecting the players and getting the best out of the players – and the staff”.

Handed the captain’s armband after a year of conjecture, the Tottenham sharpshooter is being backed to lead from the front – but Southgate underlined the need for support.

“Obviously none of you guys (in the media) were there today”, England midfielder Delph said.

“He is a great leader in terms of his approach to everything about his profession. An absolute goalscorer and he’s a breath of fresh air to be around”.

While this has the whiff of a banana skin about it, England should look back to how Southgate’s ’98 side comfortably brushed past Tunisia, winning 2-0. “We’re training, playing together, we’re positive and when you’re given the chance you hope you show what you’re capable of”, added Delph, who has largely played as a left back under Pep Guardiola.

“In four years’ time, we are going to be massively competitive but at the moment it is a big ask to win a World Cup with a totally inexperienced team with obvious areas of weakness”, he told the BBC. “They’re probably one of the favourites, but we didn’t expect anything less from Spain”.