91Èȱ¬

Chelsea are likely to prevent defender Gary Cahill from attending an England meeting this month, 91Èȱ¬ Sport understands.

The players will meet at St George's Park, probably on a Thursday, to discuss the 2015 schedule.

Chelsea are thought to be opposed to the idea because they play Liverpool in a two-legged League Cup semi-final on Tuesday 20 and 27 January.

Tottenham face Sheffield United in the other semi-final on 21 and 28 January.

According to the England manager Roy Hodgson hopes to persuade clubs that players will be required for only a few hours and would be free to leave by 22:00 GMT.

England have won the six games they have played since being eliminated from last summer's World Cup at the group stage.

They beat Norway and Scotland in friendlies either side of four Euro 2016 qualifying victories.

England face Lithuania in a qualifier at Wembley on 27 March, before playing a friendly in Italy four days later.