Sven Goran Eriksson is ensuring his World Cup boys get their fill of veggies en-route to training in Dubai, by plying them with nourishing aeroplane food.
Worried the England World Cup squad might get peckish on board the seven-hour British Airways (BA) flight from Luton to the United Arab Emirate state, Eriksson has cooked up a range of specially prepared high protein sandwiches, including chicken with lemon butter, and brie, apple and celery.
But that is not all. The whole menu will start with a lip-smacking choice of asparagus with parma ham, poached pear, or candied walnut salad. Followed by a choice of main course from grilled fillet steak with mushroom and herb risotto, baked cod with rarebit topping, parsley lemon mash and vegetable tajin with couscous, or a simple caesar salad. Finally, for those players who have yet to hear the phrase 'a second on the lips, a lifetime on the hips', puddings include blackberry and apple pie, fresh fruit or a cheese platter. Lucky boys.
BA marketing director Martin George told the Guardian: 'The care and attention paid to making the squad's flight as comfortable as possible means that they will arrive fighting fit and ready to take on the world's best teams in the biggest event in the football calendar – hopefully all the way to the final.' Leaving no stone unturned, Eriksson has also laid on no end of entertainment for the boys. As well as six-foot flat beds for the players and their families – who will be coming along for the ride to ease the stress of flying – there are a host of fun and games to keep them amused. In addition to a huge range of blockbuster films and a children's channel showing cartoons. Finally, there will be Disney puzzle packs for the brain-busting types which - since aimed at three to 12 year-olds - should prove no problem to the squad, as well as particular fun for captain David Beckham who is known for his passion for copying Disney drawings for fun.