The first training session took place this afternoon...

Sven took his first training this afternoon, as spirits were high in the England camp.

All 27 members of Sven's squad reported for duty at lunchtime today and only Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard missed out on training due to slight knocks.

Those that played yesterday loosened off in the gym, while the rest were on the pitch for Sven and his coaches to assess their form.

The team are staying in a new base in Canary Wharf for this game and everyone seems happy to be in the new surroundings.

Sven personally greeted every player on their arrival, including new boy Wayne Rooney, whom he is looking forward to 'getting to know'.

The Everton starlet seems unperturbed by his swift rise up the international ladder and quickly settled into conversation with his former Goodison Park team-mate Francis Jeffers.

New coaching acquisition Brian Kidd was also delighted to meet up and is looking forward to working with the players  - many of whom he already knows well from his coaching spells at Manchester United, Leeds and with the England Under-21s.

Sven himself is in a relaxed mood as he looks forward to England's first tase of action in 2003. With this amout of youth at his disposal, it's not inconceivable that some of these players will still be around in 3013!

Stay-logged on to TheFA.com throughout the week for all the news from inside the England camp, and look out later this evening when a number of players will appear before the press.

From Daniel Freedman at the England Team Base in Canary Wharf