Squad given a lively World Cup welcome on their arrival in Colombia.

By Nicholas Veevers in Medellin

England’s U20 squad touched down in Colombia on Monday evening, as the start of the FIFA U20 World Cup in the South American nation draws ever closer.

Brian Eastick’s squad take on Korea DPR in Medellin on Friday afternoon in what is the first game of this year’s competition after ten days of altitude training in Denver prior to arriving in Colombia.

It was a long day for the squad and staff, who left Denver in the early hours to fly through to their new base in Medellin via a connection in Miami.

And they were given a warm welcome to Colombia at Medellin Airport as a troupe of dancing police were awaiting them in the arrivals area. More of that can be seen on FATV later.

It didn’t stop there either, as a number of youngsters staying in the Intercontinental Hotel waited up to see England’s arrival and the players were only too happy to have photographs taken with them.

After a late dinner, it was off to bed for the players before they get back into training on Tuesday afternoon and continue preparations for Friday’s match.

The squad also had a pre-tournament meeting with FIFA officials as well as the referee representatives before the official accreditation photos for players and staff took place.

However, there will only be 20 players on duty now as Sunderland striker Ryan Noble has returned to England after picking up an injury during the squad’s stint in the USA.

Speaking about the blow, Eastick said: "Unfortunately Ryan has had a recurrence of a back injury, so has returned to Sunderland for treatment on that.

"We are in touch with Sunderland and will remain so and if he's recovers and there is a chance of him returning to join the squad then that is something we will look at in time."