Starbucks treats ‘banned at England team hotel’ by Gareth Southgate as World Cup preparations ramp up

England manager Gareth Southgate has reportedly clamped down on Starbucks to help his squad prepare for this summer's World Cup.

Southgate is currently putting his players through their paces at St George's Park ahead of a friendly double-header against Netherlands and Italy over the next five days, two teams who failed to qualify for the summer trip to Russia.

England players have access to a Starbucks cafe inside the Hilton hotel where his team are staying but Southgate has banned food and sugary drinks from being sold to both playing staff or otherwise.

The coffee chain's cakes, sandwiches and similar foods have been entirely removed from display, with Starbucks staff also told syrup in cappuccinos are off limits to his players. Just tea, coffee and bottled water are to be sold.

"Starbucks are not allowed to serve food in the cafe while the players are staying at the hotel," ESPN quoted a source as saying.

Southgate's stance is nothing new for England players, with Fabio Capello banning chips and even tomato ketchup during his reign ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Capello told Fifa magazine: "I have, for example, impressed upon [the players] the advantages of a Mediterranean diet over ketchup and chips."

The move was unpopular among England players with David Bentley recently telling the Telegraph of the negative effect the banning of such luxuries can have.

"Capello didn’t want us to have ketchup,” said Bentley. "I know that’s a small thing, but you’d be surprised what an effect that can have and you weren’t allowed to eat your dinner until the captain came in. It just didn’t work with us."

One manager who was less strict about a player's diet was former England manager hopeful Harry Redknapp who, while in charge at Tottenham, responded to news of the ketchup ban in typical fashion.

Redknapp said: "If you can't pass the ball properly, a bowl of pasta's not going to make that much difference!"