Roy Hodgson hopes Grand Slam-winning England rugby coach Eddie Jones' visit has sprinkled some "magic dust" on the Three Lions' Euro 2016 preparations.
The Rugby Football Union appointed the Australian as its first ever overseas head coach in November following the humiliating pool-stage exit at the home World Cup.
Jones quickly revived England's fortunes, and two months ago led the country to their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2003.
Ahead of that triumph he spent time with Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola, and since then has met some of the country's top footballing brains, including Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, Arsenal's Arsenal Wenger and now England manager Hodgson.
Jones was given a tour of St George's Park by Hodgson on Friday and joined him for training, where the pair spent the session deep in conversation together.
"It is someone who I have met a couple of times previously, and when we've met we've discussed the possibility of coming to see each other," Hodgson said of Jones. "At some time him at St George's and me at Pennyhill Park.
"But, of course, I am rather hoping some of his magic dust that he had in winning the Grand Slam will rub off. That wouldn't be harmful in any way.
"It is always good I think as coach to take some ideas or thoughts or to pick the brains of other successful managers in other disciplines because, of course, the job, if you like, of managing and coaching elite players has a lot of similarities."
Hodgson is this summer looking to repeat what Jones has managed in his short time at the helm by turning misfortune into triumph.
The Three Lions' early World Cup exit two years ago still rankles, but this is a fresh, new squad that head to France looking to make amends.
Turkey are the opponents in England's first pre-Euro 2016 preparation friendly on Sunday, when Gary Cahill will captain the side with Wayne Rooney unavailable at the Etihad Stadium.
The Chelsea defender, who missed some training sessions this week due to an injection, is a shoo-in for the final 23 given he is one of three out-and-out centre-backs, but midfielders Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson have more to prove.
The pair are working their way back from injury and the reason Hodgson selected a 26-man squad, allowing them the chance to persuade the coaching staff that they can handle the rigours of Euro 2016.
"Jordan alongside Jack, I suppose, are the reasons why we've extended this time our squad from the usual 23 to 26," Hodgson said.
"We do need to assess them, we do need to be sure that if we're going to select them they will be the Jordan Henderson, the Jack Wilshere that we know - not players who are unfortunately recovering to be that player again."
Wilshere has trained with the squad since convening at St George's Park on Wednesday, whereas Henderson linked up the following day having been an unused substitute for Liverpool against Sevilla in the Europa League final.
"The other Liverpool players won't join us until Saturday morning, but I won't be considering them necessarily seriously to play in the game (on Sunday) because of course they're still recovering from Wednesday night effects," Hodgson said.
"(Henderson) was obviously keen to do some training on Friday before that because he didn't play in Basle.
"And, of course, we're more than happy to have him with us, doing that training session, and any extra work he feels he needs to help him recover from injury we do here.
"It was very much joined-up thinking between us at the FA, Liverpool Football Club and Jordan himself."
Whoever is chosen to feature at the Etihad Stadium will be the first England players to play a home match away from Wembley since 2007.
A desire to alter preparations for Euro 2016 will see the Manchester clash against Turkey followed by a friendly against Australia at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Friday.
"We feel we have got good support in the country. We feel that the people are behind us and wishing us well," Hodgson said
"Wouldn't it be nice if we could play some of the preparation games, if we are playing three, to take them maybe around the country and show off our football?
"Maybe some really big England fans don't always get the chance to see the game at Wembley and I'm very grateful that the FA accepted that idea and promoted it.
"I think it's going to be a really interesting occasion playing in Manchester and Sunderland, before the final game at Wembley."
Source: PA
