Sven-Goran Eriksson: 'England players will be tired at Russia World Cup'

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has claimed that the Three Lions players will struggle with fatigue at this summer's World Cup.

The Swede, who led England to quarter-final appearances in three consecutive major tournaments between 2002 and 2006, regularly called for the Premier League to have a winter break during his five years in charge.

Each player in Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad has spent the past season playing in the Premier League, which does not enjoy a mid-season pause, unlike the top flights of Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

Asked by BBC Sport if tiredness would be an issue in Russia, Eriksson said: "I'm sure. I guess England managers before me and for sure after me always had the same problem. I hope I'm wrong, but I think Gareth Southgate will face that problem too.

"If you play in the Premier League, you play a lot of games. There's two big domestic cups, most England players play in Europe and the league is tough.

"That's okay, but the big problem is not having a break. That's the biggest reason why England struggle to make a big impact in big tournaments."

The Premier League is looking at a way to introduce a winter break from 2020 onwards.