Welbeck and Walker sit out England training ahead of Ireland friendly

Danny Welbeck and Kyle Walker missed training this morning ahead of England’s double-header against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Both players took part in a gym session though, raising hopes that they could take part in either of the two games.

England are expected to reveal the nature of the duo’s injuries later, but it is understood that Walker was hurt during Tottenham’s end of season friendly against Jamaica in the Bahamas last Thursday.

The rest of England's 21-man party took part in the training session at St George's Park this morning.

Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott and James Milner trained despite only returning from Manchester City’s end-of-season tour of the United States this morning.

Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, who were all on tour in the States with Chelsea last week, also trained.

Uncapped Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy met up with the squad last night for the first time and he was tested in the session this morning, saving shots from fellow goalkeepers Hart and Ben Foster.

England face Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic side at Wembley on Wednesday before taking on Brazil in Rio de Janeiro four days later.

Between 100 and 200 fans affected by the decision to delay England’s game in Poland due to a waterlogged pitch last October watched today’s training session.

The FA invited every England supporter who had a ticket to the game to this morning’s event.

The game in Poland was put back a day following severe rainfall and many missed the rearranged fixture as they had already made travel plans.