England 1 Italy 2

Italy goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon will miss his side's opening World Cup Group D match against England in Manaus tonight.

Steven Gerrard admits England will have no excuses if they fail to deliver the win the country is yearning for tonight.

Slamming, body-rocking heat greeted the traveller in Manaus yesterday. When even the local taxi driver wipes his forehead and declares it’s "mucho calde" you know this isn’t a climate for the faint-hearted.

England have received assurances that the dry pitch in Manaus is suitable for their first World Cup match against Italy on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson has called on England’s young talents to prove their worth as the World Cup opener against Italy edges ever closer.

Brazilian World Cup host city Manaus has declared a state of emergency as the waters of an Amazon River tributary swell, although officials say they do not expect it to flood.

England captain Steven Gerrard approaches the World Cup in a good frame of mind, having overcome the slip that was a catalyst to the capitulation of Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge.

Work on the stadium where England are due to play their opening World Cup match in Brazil has been partially suspended.