Hodgson set to 'pick brains' of England sports legends to succeed in 2014 World Cup

England team manager Roy Hodgson is reportedly set to pick the brains of the country's top 'sports legends' in a bid to give England a fighting chance of exceeding World Cup expectations.

Hodgson has reportedly spoken to current and past England rugby union coaches Stuart Lancaster and Sir Clive Woodward about their approach to touring-party life and is planning to turn to Ashes-winning England cricket coach Andy Flower and Warren Gatland, a rugby union Grand Slam winner.

According to the Mirror, with England potentially facing up to seven weeks together with a planned two-week stay in the USA before they arrive in Brazil next year, Hodgson is determined to learn from the sports legends as they have successfully managed time, egos and the pressure of the biggest challenges.

Hodgson said that he is interested to hear how the former and current players and coaches approach things as they have stayed for long periods away from home, adding that the more information he gets, the better it is for the team.