Neville offers voice of experience

GARY NEVILLE drew on the lessons of Euro 96 to warn England’s youngsters to conserve their energy during the European Championships – or risk mental burn-out.

Neville is one of just four survivors from the squad which took England to the brink of success eight years ago only to lose out to Germany on penalties in the semi-final.

However, just like his brother Phil, as well as Sol Campbell and Ian Walker, he vividly recalls just how tiring a tournament can actually be.

While some of England's younger players experienced the World Cup two years ago, Neville believes that the squad must pace themselves over the coming weeks.

"We're all 100% focused on what we're going to do in this tournament," he declared as the squad flew out to Portugal, with just one injury worry remaining over centre-back John Terry.

"Let's have a quiet build-up and prepare ourselves mentally and physically for what hopefully is going to be a great three or four weeks, because we're going to need every ounce of energy that we can muster.

"I remember at Euro 96, I was suspended for the semi-final, but I had played in the quarter-final and I was absolutely shattered. We had played Scotland and never slept for three days, then we'd played Holland and everybody was on a high and we never slept either.

"We were on such a high and it was such an adrenaline rush, that, as a young player, you couldn't believe what was happening to you."

Neville, who was then just 21, added: "Everybody in the country was going mad and you can't believe what's happening to you.

"You don't rest, you go and play table-tennis, you go and play this and do that. You're young and you want to do all these things.

"But this time, the one thing I would say is that we have to make sure we rest. We have to make sure we get to our hotel rooms and sleep, because we'll need every bit of energy we can muster in this championship, if we're going to go far."

While England came close at Euro 96, they were eliminated in only the second round by Argentina at France 98 and succumbed at the group stage at Euro 2000.

Neville believes the current squad is nevertheless reaching its prime, with several key players Neville, Sol Campbell, David Beckham and Paul Scholes - all aged 29. Moreover, there is also a healthy dose of youth as well, with Wayne Rooney just 18, while Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Ashley Cole are 23, and Michael Owen is still just 24.

That is in stark contrast to the "cynicism" which Neville has previously identified as having undermined the squad at Euro 2000 in the latter days of Alan Shearer, Paul Ince and Tony Adams.

"At Euro 2000, I don't think there was any zest. I wouldn't say there wasn't any enthusiasm as that would be wrong, but there was something missing," added the Manchester United full-back. "With this group of players, the feeling is enthusiasm and youthfulness. Young players always bring that and you need it.

"There's a youthfulness in the squad and no cynical attitude in the squad whatsoever, as I talked about a few years back. We're all 100% focused on what we're going to try to do."

Sven-Goran Eriksson has, meanwhile, already settled on his starting line-up - as long as Terry proves his fitness after a hamstring problem even if he has yet to finalise his midfield tactics.

Indeed, Neville believes preparations are on schedule following the 6-1 success against Iceland, even with France to come on Sunday.

"With the system we now play and the young players we've now got, we are better off now than we have been for a number of years," he declared.

"But it is next Sunday that we will be measured and judged.

"France will be wary of a lot of our players because we've got some good players. But they have also got some good players so there will be respect between the two teams.

"We have just got to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for what could be a great three or four weeks for us.

"We're going to need every ounce of energy we can muster."