The players donned specially-made white T-shirts displaying the four-year-old's face during training at Vilamoura in the Algarve.

The squad's training base is east of the Praia da Luz resort where Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment on May 3.

The T-shirts featured her face on the front and the 'Look for Maddie' logo and www.findmadeleine.com website address on the back.

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry met with England head coach Brian Ashton on Tuesday night and thanked him for the team's support.

Mr McCann said the couple was grateful for "the wonderful and "unprompted" show of support.

"Thousands of people all over the world are doing everything in their power to help find Madeleine," he said.

"The most powerful resource we have are the millions of eyes all over the world, looking for our lovely daughter, Madeleine," he said.

"This generous gesture from the England squad, we hope, will remind sports fans that Madeleine is still missing."

Ashton said the players had been eager to show their support for the McCanns.

"Our thoughts continue to be with them and we, like everyone else, hope that Madeleine is returned safely," he said.

The rugby players are the latest in a growing list of sporting identities to appeal for Madeleine's safe return.

Footballers David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo both made TV appeals shortly after her disappearance.