FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

England failed to impress in their firast workout after arriving in France for the World Cup when they could only scrape past second division Caen 1-0 with a goal from Paul Scholes.

The Manchester United star was the one bonus as Glenn Hoddle’s side looked jaded throughout their behind-closed-doors game. With television cameras and photographers banned, the only witnesses to England’s win were some 200 local dignitaries who had been invited by the FA and the small French club.

In a game played in steady rain, Hoddle used around 15 of his squad players. They included Arsenal keeper David Seaman, who had sparked fears he might miss out on next Monday’s opener against Tunisia when he left the squad’s Buckinghamshire hotel this morning with heavy strapping around his left thigh.

England officials said the bandages were purely precautionary to avoid the Highbury hero’s dead-leg being inflamed by the trip from Heathrow. Hoddle reported no injury problems from the game and the coach added: ” It was a very worthwhile exercise for us. ” Some of the players had not played a match for quite a period of time and nobody has played since the game against Belgium in Morocco last Friday week. “ With reporters barred from going anywhere near the stadium Hoddle, the few let in and the England entourage, are the only people who will know how well they played.

The squad then transferred to their luxury hotel in La Baule, near Nantes, which Hoddle hopes will be their base for almost four weeks, taking them up to the semi-final stage.