England camp: pitch is perfect, heat not an issue

Andy Goldberg, dpa

England captain Steven Gerrard and manager Roy Hodgson inspected the pitch in Manaus Friday and pronounced it in perfect condition for Saturday's game against Italy.

"I don't see any need to be concerned about it, all we will perfectly happy to play on it tomorrow," Hodgson said. "You can play good football on it."

"It's perfectly fine," said Gerrard. "The grass is the perfect length. I think it will be a fantastic game."

Hodgson also insisted that his team was well prepared for the hot and humid conditions expected for the game after the England squad trained in the sweltering heat of Miami, as well as riding bikes in a sauna and wearing three layers of clothing during practice.

"It's not about the heat - we're playing in Brazil. We will take the conditions that come our way and we have prepared for them," he said. "We think we are physically fit we are mentally fit and we are tactically prepared. We are ready."

"It's obviously warm," said Gerrard. "I think we are going to be fine and be able to cope."

The England captain also spoke highly of the team spirit ahead of the game, comparing it favourably to 2012 when England were dominated by Italy in the European Championship before going out to the Italian side on penalties. 

"I think we are a better team and a better squad and confidence is higher," said Gerrard. "Our preparations went well."