A Long-Awaited Return to Training for the National Team

‘The future of amputee football is bright,’ says England head coach Scott Rogers (pictured) ahead of this weekend's national team training camp.

It’s six weeks since England’s last training camp, however, Rogers was in attendance for the EAFA League Cup fixtures last weekend that saw Portsmouth victorious in the final against Arsenal.

Goalkeeper and England international Thomas Atkinson captained the cup winners and was one of many young players in the tournament.

His England coach said: “It’s an opportunity for the players to showcase their talents and I was impressed with the overall standard throughout the competition.

“To see some young players who have come through our junior programme and now excelling at that level is a clear indication that the future of amputee football is bright.”

With league and cup fixtures taking place across the last six weeks, Rogers believes that the team are doing well in preparation for the Nations League in June.

“It’s been a long time between camps, but the players have been working hard on their fitness,” he said.

“We have made some excellent progress since January and it’s important that we continue to maintain our high standards moving forward.”

However, one man that still remains on the side-lines is Sean Jackson.

Jackson pictured smiling on international duty.

The Everton defender suffered an ankle injury at the end of last year and is waiting for confirmation on surgery and Rogers insists that although he is a huge miss, Jackson shouldn’t rush his recovery.

He said: “Losing Jacko (Sean Jackson) was a big blow for us both on and off the pitch.

“His development over the last few years has been fantastic and he has become a big part of what we are about.

“It’s important that we look after his long term development, so surgery is certainly the correct decision at this point in his career and he is still only young, so it’s important that we don’t rush his rehabilitation.

“If he makes the Nations League then that is a real bonus for us, but a bigger goal for Jackson at this time, is to be fit and ready for Euro 2024.”