XtraTime Web Desk: Another FIFA World Cup is approaching and as usual, the expectations are sky-kissing for the England football fans. The team is now having their final preparations at St George’s Park. The Three Lions, whose World Cup campaign begins on June 18, trained on Thursday afternoon in the gloomy conditions and were put through their paces by England manager Southgate.
The England squad were seen defending set-pieces before taking part in small-sided games at the national training complex ahead of their friendly with Nigeria on Saturday. Southgate and assistant manager Steve Holland were pictured in deep discussion with striker Harry Kane, who was named England’s World Cup captain last week. However, it wasn’t just the outfield players who were hard at work on Thursday at the home of England’s £105million training complex. England’s goalkeepers were also put to the test as Jordan Pickford, favourite to be No 1 this summer, was seen desperately diving to his left to save an effort while Jack Butland watched on. Southgate is desperate to get his players in the best shape as early as possible as he looks to make this a hugely successful World Cup following a recent spell of disappointing campaigns. England’s World Cup campaign gets underway on June 18 against Tunisia at the Volgograd Arena.