Thomas Tuchel says England are ready to take the next step in their World Cup preparations as his side take on Costa Rica a week out from the curtain-raiser against Croatia.
The back-to-back European Championship finalists have been gearing up for the tournament since arriving in hot and humid Florida last Monday.
England have worked in West Palm Beach either side of Saturday’s sweltering friendly against New Zealand in Tampa, where Tuchel played different sides in each half of a forgettable 1-0 win.
Now comes a final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica, who have not qualified for the World Cup but provide an important step on the road to next Wednesday’s Group L opener against Croatia.
England boss Tuchel, who revealed Bukayo Saka’s fitness is being managed after an Achilles issue, said: “No-one needs a break, everyone is available. That’s the very good news.
“No-one was injured, no complaints, after the first match. One day for recovery, two good training sessions and ready to give it a push tomorrow. Push means more than 45 minutes – players will play 60, maybe some 70.
“That’s the plan. We then have the chance to load the players on day later in a match behind closed doors in our training facilities.
“Then pre-camp is finished, and we start our adventure two days later in Kansas.
“But, like I said, we expect a push tomorrow, physical and from intensity and also from style of play, from ball speed and everything. We want to take the next step, and we feel ready for it.”
England fly to their World Cup base in Kansas City on Saturday having returned to their warm weather camp in West Palm Beach camp after taking on Costa Rica in the oppressive Orlando heat.
Some players could be in action again on Thursday as a behind-closed-doors meeting with Miami FC has been organised to provide some training support and minutes for those that need it.
Asked if set pieces would be worked on against the USL Championship outfit, Tuchel said: “Yeah, maybe we try some stuff because we will not give everything away in the two friendly matches now going into the tournament.
“We can use that for set pieces, and we use it mainly for the load of the players. Basically, if you played only 20 minutes (against Costa Rica) I have the chance to give you another 50 or 60 on the next day.
“We are in charge, I think, of the substitutions. We are in charge of the length of the matches, and we can totally dictate as to who is available to give everyone at the end of the pre-camp the same load.
“Then we can start in Kansas on the same level for everyone.”
The World Cup kick-offs between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa on Thursday but England have to wait until next Wednesday to get their campaign under way.
The June 17th fixture against Croatia in Dallas is followed by Group L matches against Ghana and Panama.
