Steven Gerrard has insisted that England will not blame the hot conditions should they exit Euro 2012 at the group stage.
The temperature is expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius tomorrow afternoon in Donetsk as the Three Lions open up their campaign against Laurent Blanc's France.
The heat has been blamed for England's poor showing at previous tournaments but captain Gerrard has revealed that no such excuses will be made this time around.
"We will be ready for the French on Monday," he told reporters at a press conference this afternoon.
"It's hot, but it is hot for both teams. We won't use the conditions as an excuse."
After France, England will take on Sweden on Friday before playing co-hosts Ukraine a week on Tuesday.
