Sam Allardyce sends message to England players: This is what he said

SAM ALLARDYCE has made contact with his new charges as he launched his England revolution.

Posted Wednesday, August 03, 2016 by Express.co.uk

Sam Allardyce sends message to England players: This is what he said
Sam Allardyce has made contact with his England players as he begins life in the job

Allardyce is yet to meet the players since being appointed England boss last month.

But he wanted to touch base with those that were involved at Euro 2016 and has sent an e-mail to the squad to start the re-building process.

Goalkeeper Tom Heaton confirmed: “I just had a brief email today to say hello and introduce himself.

"I’m sure he’s got an awful lot on but that literally arrived today, which was fantastic.”

Allardyce isn’t confirming that the 23 who failed in France under predecessor Roy Hodgson will be part of the first squad he selects at the end of August.

But the majority will form part of the party he picks for his curtain-raiser in a World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia on 4 September.

And it was felt this was a good way to begin team building before Allardyce gets to work to try and restore England’s fading fortunes.

Burnley captain Heaton didn’t figure at the Euros and has more competition for a squad place now that Stoke’s Jack Butland is fit again.

But he hopes playing in the Premier League will help his cause to stay in the pack challenging for Joe Hart’s number-one status after the Manchester City man enjoyed a tough time at the Euros.

Heaton said: “Having had a taste of it I certainly want more. I have a hunger to step on, get more caps, keep involved. I’ll be putting the work in to do that.

"With a new manager coming in you never know what his thoughts are but all I can really do is get my performance right and see where it takes me.”

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich assistant manager Paul Clement has confirmed he turned down a coaching role with Allardyce.

He said: “After consultation between FC Bayern, the [English] Football Association and myself, it was decided that it is in the best interests of everyone involved for me to concentrate solely on the job I have in Munich.”