Roy Hodgson has revealed he will bring a sports psychologist into the England camp as he prepares his team for the World Cup.
The Three Lions boss announced that Dr Steve Peters will be involved with the squad and believes he will only benefit the players as they head to Brazil this summer.
Peters has a solid track record working with elite athletes, including Britain’s Olympic cycling gold-medalists Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, and England skipper Steven Gerrard.
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Hodgson said: "He has a fantastic record, a CV of working in many different sports and has been doing some work at Liverpool with Brendan Rodgers so Steven [Gerrard] knows him well.
"It is something we have talked about for some time but we wanted to make certain we got the man we wanted, someone who could understand the football environment, and join us rather than someone who is going to come in and lecture to the players.
"Luckily Brendan allowed me to speak to Steve Peters and he has accepted our invitations so we are happy with that."
He added: "We've got to make sure that if there are any benefits out there, benefits that will help us play a better tournament, go further, win more matches, then we've got to be aware of that and got to try and take advantage of it.
"It's something, within The FA we've discussed for a while.
"What he might be able to do is make sure the players are better mentally prepared for any challenges in front of them.
"So we are looking forward to his help."
Dr Steve Peters
Gerrard, himself, had a glowing endorsement for Peters, who he has been working with for a number of years following a serious groin injury.
"He's helped me an awful lot from a personal point of view, I've been seeing Steve for three years now, and he's been at the club for a year," revealed the Liverpool captain.
"I first saw him when I had a groin problem back in 2010 and I feared for my career. I went to see him in a one-on-one situation a couple of times.
"I really liked the work that he done with me so I continued to see him and have been seeing a lot more of him since he's had the relationship with Liverpool."
Gerrard continued: "Steve Peters can't help you do a Cruyff turn any better or hit a 40-yard pass any more accurately, but what he can do is help you to learn what goes on inside your head. He can help you with your preparation.
"I didn't really know what was going on in my head before I saw him and how it works and why you think certain things, so if you do buy into it he is the best.
Steven Gerrard takes on Luke Shaw in training
"He's certainly helped me with my mental preparation going in to games, with injuries and with my performances.
"I feel I have found my most consistent form both with Liverpool and with England since I've been seeing Steve, so I can only talk highly of him.
"I was surprised when I got the call to say he would be coming, but I was absolutely delighted."
