One of those failures came against England back cheap fifa 15 coins account in November, with Southgate’s side running out 3-1 winners at Turf Moor. That scoreline does not overly concern the Portugal manager, Rui Jorge “It is a different game with different performers in a different environment” and those looking for less positive portents could point to England’s failure to win a game in the finals of this competition since 2009. But optimism is running rife in the squad and Southgate is confident that the side will cope with opening-night nerves.

“We are not asking them to raise a level,” he said. “I always remember talking to Roy Keane and him training against Nicky Butt. He would say that’s the hardest game of the week for him. When he was going into a Saturday it wasn’t a problem. When our defence are doing a session they have to mark our strikers. I don’t think they will have a harder test than that so that should give them belief in what they are doing.”

Most prominent among those strikers is Tottenham’s Harry Kane who after 31 goals for Spurs last season is likely to lead the line while Saido Berahino and Danny Ings loiter either in the wings or on the wing. The selection decisions that Southgate makes could potentially threaten the esprit de corps but the head coach is confident that a hitherto harmonious atmosphere will be maintained.

“It is difficult to say whether it is unusual in an under-21 group but I would say it’s rare I’ve seen a group quite as close as this,” said Southgate. “Obviously that is going to be challenged now because you pick a team and 10 or 12 will be disappointed. So I said to them: ‘This is a real test of how close you are and how you are going to respond to this.’ That’s another key fact in progressing. www.utfifas.co/fifa-15-ps-account-coins The group that are the opposition in training now have really got to keep focused. John [Stones] is a classic example of why. But I have to say I didn’t think it would be an issue and it hasn’t been.”