Hart: Heat is no excuse

18 May 2014 18:31

Goalkeeper Joe Hart insists England will not use the searing heat as an excuse at the World Cup.

Roy Hodgson's team take on Italy in their opening game in the city of Manaus, in the Amazon jungle.

But training camps in Portugal and Miami will help the squad acclimatise to warmer conditions and Hart said it is up to the players to cope with them.

"It's going to be hot out there, we're just going to have to deal with it," the Manchester City keeper said in a question and answer session with fans on the Vauxhall England Football Facebook page.

"No excuses when we're out there, it's only weather."

Hart also claimed he is already over the excitement of City's Barclays Premier League title success and focused fully on the World Cup.

Hart helped City clinch their second Premier League crown in three years on the final day of the season.

"The Premier League thing finished last Monday after the (victory) parade," Hart said.

"It's on to the World Cup now. I'm an England player, part of a really good squad with some great talent, that's what's going to give me belief in the tournament."

Asked if England could go all the way in Brazil, he added: "Why not? We are all winners.

"I am going to go there with my attitude to try and win every game and if you win every game you win the World Cup. You can't go in accepting failure or defeat."

Hodgson's side have a tough group, though, with Luis Suarez's Uruguay also in their pool along with Costa Rica.

Keeper Fraser Forster said: "It aly and Uruguay are going to be very tough, but all the games in the group will be hard. With the climate as well it's not straightforward."

The England squad, including injury doubt Phil Jones, will head to Portugal on Monday.

Source: PA