The first open training session of the Roy Hodgson era and first impressions were not terribly encouraging.

It was the sight of Gary Neville pulling on a bib to make up the numbers in a practice match; not to mention one particular instruction from the new England manager.

'You don't have to just play short passes,' he told them. 'Don't be afraid to knock it up to the big man.'

Nice touch: Hodgson puts his best foot forward

But the longer the session went on in the sunshine at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, the more impressive it became.

It was fascinating to watch Neville coaching Andy Carroll one-to-one while trying to mark him at the same time, and there was just something pleasing about seeing an England manager taking charge of a session without any communication issues.

Hodgson is hands-on; vocal and full of enthusiasm with plenty of words of encouragement, not least for Carroll.

'Well done, son,' he screamed when Carroll met a super ball from Steven Gerrard with a finish that proved too good for Joe Hart.

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