Former Arsenal and England defender Viv Anderson admits the legacy of 1966 remains a 'big, big thing to get over' but has backed Gareth Southgate to lead the national team to success at the Qatar World Cup.

Speaking ahead of this week’s final England squad announcement in an interview with Nuffield Health, the Official Health and Wellbeing Partner of the England Teams, Anderson discussed how the winter tournament could benefit the squad from both a physical and mental perspective.

“Obviously [it is] a bit different because we’re not playing a tournament at the end of the season, where they’ve had 70-odd games," he said.

"They’re starting off when they’re a lot fresher. So, people are saying it might be a little bit easier for England to achieve what they want to achieve and I’m looking forward to it immensely.”

Anderson, who travelled with England to two major tournaments during the 1980s, also recalled his own international call-up and had a word of encouragement for those players that are likely to be sampling their first taste of action on the biggest international stage.

“I found out by the late great Brian Clough," he added.

"He called me into his office one afternoon and said 'look here, son, I've just got this letter from The FA that you've been selected to play'. That's the first I found out that I had been selected to play for England.

“[I was] very nervous because you're meeting with the ‘big’ team, as opposed to the Under-20s or the B team. It's the experienced players that help you through that time, along with the manager and the team that he's got around him to say 'listen, we wouldn't be here if you haven't got the ability. You've been performing at your club level, so you’re now welcomed into the squad', and you all become mates.

“You're there for a reason and there to perform the best you can in a major tournament. That was the focus, and everybody connected with England at the time made sure they made a simple and easy transition for you to perform on any given day in that tournament.”

Anderson also highlighted the pressures of the modern game and warned the current squad not to get caught up with what’s happening back home during the tournament.

“We’d see pictures in the newspapers, but you didn't get it instantly like you can now, in terms of what it's like back home, celebrating your win," he added.

"We’d get little snippets of people saying it's buzzing at home, [so] let's keep it up. Now you can instantly get these euphoria moments on your phone, so it's a completely different mindset.

"I think it’s sometimes best not to know how well you're doing back home, so you just keep on doing what you're doing until you get to the latter stages.”

*Nuffield Health is proud to be the Official Health and Wellbeing Partner of the England Teams, uniting with The FA on a joint ambition to help build a healthier nation. As the nation’s teammate in health and wellbeing, the partnership will build on the mental and physical benefits that football brings to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities. To find out more, visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/thefa.