Pompey coach earns England call-up

Pompey’s strength and conditioning coach has been selected as part of Roy Hodgson’s backroom team for the 2012 European Championship.

For Neville, it is a return to the England camp where he previously served between 2004 and 2008.

During that time, he acted as a masseur and worked at the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006, as well as during the Three Lions’ qualifying matches.

Now he’s back as part of Hodgson’s revamped set-up preparing for next month’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Neville helped take training yesterday at the Etihad Stadium ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly with Norway.

The Oslo fixture will mark Hodgson’s first match as England boss.

Neville’s selection is recognition of the reputation he has established since first arriving at Fratton Park in 2002.

While working at Pompey, he studied sports science at the University of Portsmouth, graduating in the summer of 2005.

His ability as a masseur also saw him involved in the England team over a four-year period, travelling the world with the players.

In January 2008 he quit the Blues to become fitness coach at LA Galaxy in the MLS over in America.

But he returned after a year to become an integral member of the backroom staff under bosses Harry Redknapp, Tony Adams, Paul Hart, Avram Grant, Steve Cotterill and now Michael Appleton.

Neville was a promising goalkeeper with Ipswich until injury finished his career after one first-team appearance.

Earlier this month, he turned out for Linvoy Primus in a Faith & Football match at Westleigh Park.

And this summer he will be a crucial part of the England set-up as Hodgson seeks to get off to an encouraging start as manager.