Leighton Baines admits World Cup commitments could've influenced their poor start to the season.
Contrary to popular belief that England players were jaded in the hot conditions of South America, Baines has admitted he didn't feel the effects of his summer jaunt.
However, the left-back conceded players in nations that progressed past the group stage - such as Belgium's Romelu Lukaku - have struggled to regain their full sharpness.
"I personally didn't feel any lag (after the World Cup), but Rom came back later than myself, Jags (Jagielka) and Ross (Barkley), so he started the season probably having only been with us a week," he said.
"Bear in mind some of the other lads had been back training seven weeks, so in that respect it is only just starting to level out really and we hope we will get him scoring goals because he is vital for us."
