England cheered by support from troops in Afghanistan

Good luck messages from the soldiers were filmed by military chiefs and delivered to the squad's training camp in South Africa and Steven Gerrard, the England captain said the players had been moved by their support.

Good luck messages from the soldiers were filmed by military chiefs and delivered to the squad's training camp in South Africa and Steven Gerrard, the England captain said the players had been moved by their support.

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"We've watched a DVD of the guys out in Afghanistan," Gerrard said. "It was very inspiring, very touching. Now it is time for the players to deliver."

Former England captain David Beckham - who missed his chance of playing in the finals after suffering an Achilles tendon injury playing for AC Milan - had paid a morale-boosting visit to the British troops late last month.

294 British personnel have died since operations began to topple the Taliban government in October 2001.