England new boys get first taste of St. George's Park

Wednesday 03 Jun 2015
Wayne Rooney and Gary Cahill at St. George's Park

Roy Hodgson’s England players arrived at St. George's Park on Wednesday to kick-off preparations for their final two games of the season.

With seven wins and one draw from their eight games this season, the squad - including three newcomers - were in good spirits heading out for their opening training session of the week.

England Double-Header

International Match
Republic of Ireland v England
1pm, Sunday 7 June 2015
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying
Slovenia v England
6pm (local), Sunday 14 June 2015
Stadion Stozice, Ljubljana

Only one member of Hodgson's 23-man group did not report for duty. Adam Lallana was given an extra day with his family by the England boss following the birth of his second child.

The Liverpool man will meet up on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Burnley stopper Tom Heaton, QPR striker Charlie Austin and Leicester City's Jamie Vardy had their first taste of the national football centre as the Three Lions look ahead to Sunday's meeting with Republic of Ireland.

England's match in Dublin is the return fixture after the 1-1 draw at Wembley that was part of The FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013.

England have to go back to 1985 for their last win over Ireland, Gary Lineker and Trevor Steven notching the goals in a 2-1 friendly win at Wembley.

A week after the game at the Arriva Stadium, Hodgson's side will travel to Slovenia for a their latest European Qualifier six points clear at the top of the table.

Joe Hart

Joe Hart is back at SGP with England this week

The Three Lions beat Slovenia 3-1 in Group E before a 82,000 crowd at Wembley last November. Wayne Rooney, winning his 100th cap, scored one and Danny Welbeck grabbed the other two.

The clash in Ljubljana on 14 June, with England aiming to keep their 100 per cent record in qualification, is only the fourth meeting of the teams and the first on Slovenian soil.

Slovenia currently lie joint-second in Group E having won three matches and lost two. They have won both of their home fixtures with clean sheets.

Following England's two games this month, they then return to action in September with an away trip to San Marino followed by their first home fixtures of the new season against Switzerland.

Tickets for the Euro Qualifier against the Swiss on Tuesday 8 September are now available to order online from www.TheFA.com/tickets

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor At St. George's Park