Wilshere says England ready for Balotelli tricks

Jack Wilshere has told Mario Balotelli to forget any plans he may have to wind England up on Saturday.

England stepped up their preparations for their World Cup opener against Italy with their first full training session in the Rio heat yesterday.

On Thursday England will travel to Manaus where they will begin their World Cup campaign against Italy 48 hours later.

Given that he spent two-and-a-half turbulent years at Manchester City, the England squad are well aware of Balotelli’s goal scoring capabilities.

Balotelli scored 30 goals during his spell at the Etihad Stadium, but he was more renowned for his ill-discipline.

Wilshere thinks England will be able to cope with any tricks the Italian has up his sleeve.

“First and foremost, we have to worry about him as a player,” the Arsenal midfielder said. “He is a great player. We have seen that in the past.

“But we have got players who have played with him like Joe Hart, and we have defenders who have played against him in the Premier League.

“I don’t think that will be a problem.”

Another potential problem first brought up following the draw in December is the climate of Manaus.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius and humidity levels will surpass 70%.

“We have cooling systems in the dressing room,” Wilshere said.

“It’s good. We went on tour in Malaysia and you were struggling for air. It’s different heat in Malaysia, it is hot over there but the humidity was over 90% and in Manaus it will be around 75%.

“We’re prepared for it, myself and as a team. The use of giant turbines is another example of England’s attention to detail.”

Meanwhile, Wilshere appears to be losing his battle with Jordan Henderson to start against Italy.

But the Arsenal midfielder looked good against Ecuador on Wednesday and he is just glad that he has come to Brazil injury free after years of frustration.

“I am getting stronger and stronger every day,” he said.

Wilshere took time out yesterday to visit the Complexo Esportivo da Rocinha, a sports complex in an out-of-town slum.

The FA says England have donated a “significant five-figure sum” to the complex so it can refurbish its run-down facilities.

“I have kids myself as well, so it opens your eyes a lot,” Wilshere said.