London - Arabstoday
English midfielder Scott Parker took part in an opening training session in Manchester today. The Tottenham Hotspur player was troubled by an Achilles problem during the latter part of the domestic season. However, he was able to participate after the England squad met up to launch preparations for their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign, although the extent of his involvement is not being revealed at this juncture. Roy Hodgson has to decide whether he thinks Parker is fit enough to play a full part in Poland and Ukraine by 29 May, the final UEFA deadline for squads to be announced. Liverpool defender Glen Johnson and Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck sat out the 90 minutes closed session in what was described as a precautionary measure. But both are expected to train later this week before England fly out to Oslo for the friendly international with Norway on Saturday. Welbeck suffered a bruised leg in Manchester United's penultimate Premier League match with Swansea City two-and-a-half weeks ago. Hodgson had the chance to address the players at their city centre base before training for the first time since he was appointed as head coach three weeks ago. The former West Bromwich Albion coach has 19 days and friendly internationals against Norway and Belgium to hone his plans and ideas before the EURO 2012 opener with France on 11 June. The Chelsea contingent of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill - plus stand-by player Daniel Sturridge - have been given extra time off after the club's UEFA Champions League triumph. They will not report for duty until next Tuesday, while Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is working to the same schedule after playing with a minor injury during the latter part of the campaign.