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Gary Neville has unwittingly revealed England’s master plan to beat Italy, writes John Cross in Rio de Janeiro.

England assistant Neville left his training ground notes on show on Wednesday, revealing tactics Roy Hodgson intends to use to to win their World Cup 2014 group-stage opener in Manaus on Saturday.

It suggests that their midfield pressing game will be crucial as England boss Hodgson uses the tactical template employed domestically last season by Liverpool and Southampton.

Hodgson’s preparations for the finals here in Brazil centre around a high pressing game, they have been working in training on tactics and are looking to use a high-tempo strategy.

The notes read: “When the ball goes into control zone - team must make at least 3 passes before hitting the CF.

“Once the ball is played into the end zone - 2 MFs try to get in and support for a 3v2.

“However, if the defending team win the ball back they counter straight away.”

The sheets of paper appear to show instructions for a training session ahead of the clash against Italy and suggest they will look to play short passes through the middle.

(Image: Andy Stenning)

The other key factor was trying to gang up on Italy’s midfield - particularly to shut down dangerman Andrea Pirlo.

If, as expected, Daniel Sturridge starts as centre-forward, then the tactics could involve the Liverpool striker drawing opposing defenders out of position and playing his team-mates into the box.

England trialled the same tactic in their warm-up friendlies, with Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck looking to get in beyond Sturridge, who performed well with his back to the opposition.

The instructions on the sheet of paper Neville was photographed carrying are for midfielders to string passes together before bringing the centre-forward into the move and quickly pouncing forward.

During England's first training session on Tuesday, the team were drilled on creating overlaps on the flanks, suggesting they could play a high energy game against Italy and swarm their opponents in the final third.

It is a big gamble to look to use an up-tempo approach in the heat of the jungle city.

Hodgson has even been warned that he might have to make up to three or four changes to his team between games if the heat and humidity takes too much out of his players.