James Milner is enjoying his first few days in Miami as England prepare for a double-header at the Sunlife Stadium.
With their World Cup opener against Italy in Manaus less that two weeks away, Roy Hodgson's men are beginning to get acclimatised to the expected humidity of the Amazon.
Periodic downpours have punctuated their first two days in the Sunshine State and even meant that their first light training session since arriving was taken indoors.
England v Ecuador
International match
Sun Life Stadium, Miami
8pm Wednesday 4 June 2014
Live on ITV1
But Milner insists that the preparation has been spot on ahead of games against Ecuador and Honduras.
“It's nice for me, this weather. It's like being at home again," joked the Manchester City midfielder. "I've never been to Miami, it's a great place to be, and we'll see the stadium [on Tuesday] and it looks impressive.
"The main thing is to be around the humidity. It gets you used to what we'll be having in Brazil.”
Since the start of their training schedule in Portugal a fortnight ago, Hodgson has been ensuring his men are gearing up for the conditions ahead.
The players are adapting well, according the Milner, and have been assisted by special training chambers at St. George's Park, which mimic the different conditions players might face.
“I think we've made progress. We have left no stone unturned. Preparation has been very good," he said.
"It's very close here, the heat. We've done two sessions in chambers last week, 20 minutes and 30 minutes on bikes. A bit warmer. You're getting used to the conditions, simulating what we'll have.
"Before the last World Cup we did altitude on the bikes with masks. Everything we can possibly do for the World Cup we've done. Nutrition, recovery, chambers... everything has been spot on.”
Joe Hart and England team-mate celebrate Manchester City's Premier League title with Vincent Kompany
Fitness and stamina are qualities Milner is known for as a player. The two-time Premier League champion made a record 46 appearances for England at Under-21s level and will overtake that figure for the seniors if he features against Ecuador on Wednesday.
His ability and work-rate when his team are out of possession is highly-regarded and may sometimes overshadow his impact going forward, but it's something Milner himself disputes.
"Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but I can keep going. Obviously looking after yourself is a big part of that," said the 27-year-old.
"It helps going into games with extra-time too. I did a lot of cross country when I was younger, and my old man was a good runner as well. It comes through that. I find it a bit easier than maybe other people do.”
He added: “Look at the number of goals I've created in the Premier League in my career. I'm sure I'd be quite high up in that.
“Look at the number of goals I've created in the Premier League in my career. I'm sure I'd be quite high up in that”
James Milner
"If I was lazy but had more energy to go forward, what would the perception be then?”
One thing Milner doesn't question is the importance of his Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart to the England cause.
The pair have played regularly together for both club and country and, despite a blip for the keeper earlier this season as he was left on the City bench for a spell, Milner believes Hart has become stronger as a result,
“Ability-wise, we all know how good he is. He's an amazing keeper," said the former Leeds United trainee.
"Mentally, it'll have helped him for anything else that happens in his career.
"Every career has ups and downs, and I'm sure he'll have another down before the end because he'll be around for a long time, but he's stronger for it.”
