Challenge for England after four months away, admits Gary Neville
Tuesday 24 March 2015 17:24, UK
Sky Sports pundit and England coach Gary Neville admits Roy Hodgson's squad will need time to gel after "an age" away.
Neville returns this week to duties in Hodgson's set-up as England prepare for Friday's European Qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley, as well as a friendly with Italy in Turin four days later.
The Sky Sports man will help lead a 23-strong squad that includes Tottenham's Harry Kane at training in Burton on Tuesday but admitted four months off from international obligations poses a challenge to preparations.
England have not played since November when they followed up a 3-1 qualifying win over Slovenia with a 3-1
Speaking on Sky Sports' new Gary Neville Podcast, the former Manchester United and England international said: "For Roy, Ray (Lewington) and myself, it's about getting to know the players again," Neville said.
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"Four months is an age. In the summer you only go about six weeks from the end of one season to the start of another pre-season so it's about reintroducing them to England thinking.
"You've also got a lot of England players who'll need recovery time from what's been a very physical game between Liverpool and Manchester United.
Euro 2016 Qualifiers
"I imagine Tuesday will be about bedding them in and get them used to being with England again before starting to think about that important qualifier against Lithuania on Friday."
England sit top of Group E after a perfect run of six wins and will play in front of a sell-out 90,000 crowd at Wembley in their first meeting with Lithuania.
Watch England's news conference live from 1.30pm on Sky Sports News HQ or follow online and via our apps.
Sky Sports is showing 26 European Qualifers during the international break, as well as Wednesday's friendly between Scotland and Northern Ireland (7.30pm, Sky Sports 1HD & Sky Sports 5HD). You can see highlights of England v Lithuania at 10pm on Sky Sports 5HD.
