Last updated on .From the section World Cup

England players must believe - Walker

England defender Kyle Walker says manager Gareth Southgate has helped forge "togetherness" in the squad before the World Cup.

Southgate's side face Costa Rica on Thursday in their final warm-up game before travelling to Russia on 12 June.

"I fully believe in the players that we have in the squad. The manager has brought some brilliant ideas and we've all bought into it," Walker, 28, said.

"I've seen players come and go and it was a different atmosphere before."

The Manchester City full-back continued: "Now that we all click, I feel quite comfortable sitting with anyone and talking to them, whether it's football or absolutely anything.

"That's the environment that we need to take into the World Cup because the quality in the team is going to show for itself but also the togetherness is going to pull us through."

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, one of five players named in the squad who also played at the 2014 World Cup, has also noticed a positive change in morale.

"Everyone here gets along no matter what club you're from," he said. "Once we get here we're always together, always having a laugh and a joke, so it's great to see."

England now in 'different era'

Former England boss Fabio Capello came under criticism for the atmosphere in the training camp at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ex-England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has also spoken about club rivalries causing cliques external-link among the so-called 'Golden Generation'.

But Southgate says there has been a change in the years since, particularly in rivalries between players of different clubs.

"It's a different era, a different group of players. A lot of them have played together in the younger age groups," Southgate said.

"At the moment there hasn't been an intense club rivalry that perhaps existed 10 or 15 years ago.

"Maybe that will happen over the next few years but for now they are enjoying each other's company."

Togetherness 'fundamental' to success - Le Saux

Former England and Chelsea full-back Graeme Le Saux believes good relationships between players are "fundamental" to any potential success.

Le Saux, who earned 36 caps for England, told BBC Sport: "One of the things that has impressed me is the togetherness of the England squad. It's vital for any team going into a tournament, spending that amount of time together.

"If you can get that right, it can give you a platform to go and play well. If it's lacking in an England squad, it can be really damaging.

"We have heard a few former players talking about past squads not being quite as galvanised as you would expect and certainly as you require.

"When you look at this England squad, we have some exciting players, we lack a bit of experience, but equally important for me and more fundamental is the environment that is created and that relationship between the players.

"That can help build the type of resilience to get through some hard moments on the pitch."