New England manager Sam Allardyce scraps Croatia friendly

New England manager Sam Allardyce has opted against arranging a friendly with Croatia prior to the start of the Three Lions' 2018 World Cup-qualifying campaign.

The Football Association was in talks to hold a friendly at Wembley on September 1, three days before a qualifier against Slovakia.

However, it has now been confirmed that Allardyce scrapped the idea in favour of getting to know his players and spending more time on the training pitch.

The 61-year-old's first match in charge will be held on Sunday, September 4 at the City Arena in Trnava.