Ideal conditions in Sao Paulo but Roy rules out Chamberlain

England landed in Sao Paulo on Wednesday afternoon and headed to Arena Corinthians for their final training session ahead of the Group D meeting with Uruguay.

Roy Hodgson's men trained for an hour as they put their final touches on plans for the match on Thursday night when both teams will be looking for their first victory in Brazil.

All of the 23-man squad took part, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who stepped up his recovery from a knee injury. 

However, after the session the manager admitted that the encounter with the Uruguayans will probably come a bit too early for the Arsenal attacker.

"He is not in contention for tomorrow, but he will take part in the next full training session," Hodgson revealed. "Today was his last training session as, if you like, an individual.

"We could have taken a chance with him tomorrow, but it would be much better if he uses the four days after this game and before the Costa Rica game to train with the team. 

"Fortunately for us, his actual injury has responded really well to treatment, but I don't think we will put him into the firing line tomorrow before he has had some training sessions with the team."

The Three Lions are aiming to bounce back from defeat to Italy in Manaus on Saturday, and weather in Sao Paulo is expected to be very different from the conditions in the Amazon.

The team arrived in the city to bright sunshine, but soon after settling into their hotel the heavens opened and a fierce downpour ensured training was played on a wet and slippery pitch.

Steven Gerrard in training on Thursday

"It won't do us any harm, of course," said Hodgson. "But most of the Uruguayan players play in Europe too, so it won't do them any harm either.

"But I think for the quality of the game, the fact that it won't be played in enormous heat, will help both teams. We certainly won't be complaining about the weather."

Captain Steven Gerrard, who joined Hodgson for the press conference following training, was inevitably asked about his Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez.

The Reds striker, who claimed the PFA and Football Writer's Player of the Year awards after a sensational season at Anfield, is expected to return from injury to line up against England.

"I'm very good friends with Luis, we have had some banter and conversations in the build-up to the game, but there will be no communication tomorrow," said Gerrard.

"Luis is a genius, I've said it many times, he's a wonderful player. I think it's going to be a boost to the Uruguay players and supporters to have him back.

"But they are more than one player. They have strong players all around the pitch, they are a strong team, so we treat Suarez like any other Uruguay player."

He added: "Of course we have huge respect for Uruguay as a team, and Luis as an individual, and we have a game-plan in place to try and win this football match."