Gary Cahill: 'I don't know what to expect'

England defender Gary Cahill has admitted that he doesn't know what to expect when his side take on Italy in Manaus on Saturday.

The Three Lions get their World Cup campaign underway at the Arena Amazonia this weekend, with both sides expected to struggle with the hot and humid conditions.

Cahill acknowledged that there was an element of the unknown playing in such conditions, but hopes that the team's preparation will stand them in good stead for the match itself.

"I don't really know what to expect. I have been told, obviously, about the humidity. That was the first thing we were all made aware of, but that's what we've been training for and preparing for in the last couple of weeks," Cahill is quoted as saying by PA.

"That was the main thing really. I think we've prepared the best we possibly we could in the couple of weeks we had. We did the hot-weather training, been in hot climates, done the heat chambers, worn extra layers of clothing.

"So we've prepared as best we possibly could. Obviously being English players we're not used to those conditions but in the three weeks that we've had we have done all we possibly can."

The pitch in Manaus has also come under scrutiny in the last 24 hours, with England sending a representative to the stadium to inspect it.