Fitness doubt: Welbeck (right) picked up an ankle knock against Man City

Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard also finished the season injured but, although Parker had his troublesome achilles assessed on Wednesday, the FA said both players had taken some part in training, which also marked the first day in the job for coach Gary Neville.

Only Chelsea’s Champions League players and Rooney were absent, Hodgson deciding they do not have to report until Tuesday. That did not stop Rooney paying a brief visit to the team hotel in Manchester on Wednesday, however.

Meanwhile, the FA’s director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking believes expectations are so low ahead of Euro 2012 he would just be happy to see England ‘play well’.

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