...As Neville warns England of Balotelli threat
Ex Manchester United player, Gary Neville has warned England players to be wary of Manchester City's Italian forward, Mario Balotelli when they meet today in the quarter final of the Euro Championships.
The 37-year-old Neville however, believes that Balotelli's Manchester City team-mates will help the Three Lions silence the young striker in the all-important clash today.
The controversial 21-year-old scored the second goal in Italy's 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Monday and will be a likely starter in the crunch contest in Kiev.
However, Neville hopes that Balotelli's Manchester City team-mate Joleon Lescott and experienced Premier League opponent John Terry can keep him from having an impact.
(http://vml1.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/england.gif?9d7bd4) (http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/06/euro-2012-can-england-fly/england/)England Team "Joleon will know him better than we do, that's the great thing," the ex-Manchester United full-back told the FA's official website. "There will be no surprise for Joleon on Sunday (today) and the same for John Terry who'll have played against him as well, so that's a good thing.
"But obviously knowing and playing against him means that there will be that added extra spice that Balotelli himself will want to put one over on England.
"He plays in the country, he's a big figure in England with respect to the media he gets and he's a champion of England now with Manchester City and he will be very difficult to play against."
Roy Hodgson was named the new manager of the Three Lions less than two months ago but has fashioned a team that has yet to be beaten in the five games he has been in charge and Neville heaped praise on the 64-year-old.
"[Hodgson] is calm, doesn't get carried away by things, brings a great deal of humility, trusts in his players and has faith in them and I think they are recognising that he is someone they like and want to play for.
Vanguard Nigeria
Unfortunately, they didn't survive.