England defend training base for Euro 2012

Capello has ruled out switching base camp (GETTY IMAGES)

England have criticised as a "scare story" reports that the team's training base in Poland for Euro 2012 is dilapidated and not fit for purpose.

England will be using the ground of fourth division Hutnik Nowa Huta as their base in Poland for at least three games - against France, Ukraine and Sweden.

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington admits the facilities are not up to standard but insisted they will be ready for when the players arrive before the tournament.

The Sun has reported the ground in Krakow is "barely fit for a pub team" and describes the dressing room and medical facilities as "a shambles". Pictures show rubble-strewn dressing room and showers.

But Bevington said on his Twitter account: "We have pitch specialist company who work with Fifa and Uefa working on our training pitch - it will be fine."

He added: "Pre-tournament base camp scare story in Sun today. V predictable. Training pitch isn't good but will be in June."

While England are adamant the ground will be up the high standards they demand, it adds to concern over Capello's choice to be based in Poland.

England's group games will all be in Ukraine with matches against France and Ukraine in Donetsk as well as a trip to Kiev to play Sweden with their journeys totalling 5,000 miles.

Should they reach the latter stages of the tournament they would face two more trips to Donetsk for the quarter and semi-finals.

Yet Capello, who chose a city centre location in Krakow after what Bevington described yesterday as a 14-month search which ended with the Italian adamant his side would prepare better in Poland, refused to entertain any thought of a change following last Friday's draw.

"Absolutely not," he said.

"I am happy with Krakow.

"When we played in Ukraine, we arrived the day before. That was a long trip from London.

"When we played Montenegro we did the same.

"I prefer to play in Krakow because the facilities are really good.

"The players will be happy with the hotel and the training."

PA