England switch bases after St George's Park stomach bug scare

The Sir Alf Ramsey training pitch at St George's Park

England are to switch bases ahead of friendlies against Chile and Germany after a stomach bug alert at the site of the National Football Centre.

A small number of visitors to St George's Park in Staffordshire were affected over the weekend, said the Football Association in a statement.external-link

No players have experienced any virus symptoms but the Under-21s are moving hotels as a precaution.

The senior side will meet up in Hertfordshire instead.

They will report to the Grove Hotel near Watford on Tuesday before training at London Colney - Arsenal's training ground - while the Under-21s are relocating to Milton Keynes.

"This is an elite athlete precaution for the two senior teams," said the FA in a statement. "Normal operations continue for St George's Park and hotel staff, customers and the public.

"To reiterate, these proactive steps have been taken by the FA as a precautionary measure."

England's senior side have two matches at Wembley, against Chile on Friday and Germany on Tuesday, 19 November.

The Under-21s face Finland at MK Dons on Thursday and San Marino at Shrewsbury five days later in European Championship qualifiers.