An FA spokesman said: "We have assured Freddy Shepherd this morning that we have one insurance policy in place which covers all England players.

"No additional policies have been taken out, or premiums paid, to cover any individual players.

"This policy compensates clubs for both permanent and temporary injuries sustained by players whilst on international duty with England at a considerable cost to The FA.

"It is important to point out that The FA is one of the very few national associations that has such a policy in place to compensate clubs."