Unlike France, no ice jackets required for Roy Hodgson's England side

England players train in preparation for their first Euro 2012 match (AP)

England could be feeling the heat but the French will be chilled out in this evening's Group D opener in Donetsk. Temperatures at the Donbass Arena could hit 32C for tonight's game but England have no special plans to cool their players, unlike their French counterparts, who will wear jackets packed with eight pockets of ice at half-time.

Roy Hodgson did not know about the French plan to reduce fatigue and regulate the players' body temperatures with the Cryo Jacket. "That's a new one on me, I hadn't heard about that," Hodgson said. "I have a good medical team and a group of people that will be doing everything they can to rehydrate the players and bring their temperatures down."

But the England captain won't be blaming the heat for any wilting. "It's hot, but it's hot for both teams," Steven Gerrard said. "I don't think we'll use the conditions or heat as an excuse."