England's Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson during training. Reuters

England players prepare for Croatia match by playing with rubber chickens - in pictures



The England squad were in playful mood as they were put through their paces at their Saint Petersburg training camp on Tuesday 24 hours before their first World Cup semi-final since 1990.

Players including captain Harry Kane, midfielder and Tottenham Hotspur teammate Dele Alli looked like they enjoyed the session conducted by Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff.

The mood is in keeping with the positive and relaxed atmosphere Southgate has been keen to portray in Russia, with England on the brink of reaching the World Cup final for the first time since winning the trophy on home soil in 1966.

England face Croatia, who are contesting only their second World Cup semi-final, 20 years after their last, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday. Kick off is 10pm UAE.

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Read more:

2018 World Cup live updates: buildup to France v Belgium semi-final

WATCH: World Cup nerves? You wouldn't know it from watching Belgium train

Extra Time podcast: France and Belgium evenly-matched but England too strong for Croatia - predicting World Cup semi-finals

Thierry Henry: the French legend plotting his country's downfall as part of Belgium's coaching staff

Richard Jolly: Chance for greatness at the mercy of France or Belgium's golden generations

World Cup 2018 semi-final predictions: Belgium defeat France as England beat Croatia

After Brazil 'miracle', Belgium ready for 'even tougher' World Cup assignment against France

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