Hodgson hints at experienced line-up to face Italy in opener

England manager Roy Hodgson has spoken about his side’s World Cup opener against Italy (the Three Lions are 11/5 to win), and suggests experience is the key. Could this mean that the likes of Raheem Sterling will be left out of the line-up in place of people with cooler heads?

When questioned on the topic of youth, Hodgson said: “We have a potential, a lot of belief in this potential, but I must advise some caution because the players haven’t had a lot of chances in an England shirt to show they can realise that potential.

“We have more pace, more mobility, a lot of technical players,” he continued, before adding: “I am not trying to play down the future, [it] looks quite bright and there are interesting times ahead. This World Cup, we are also going to need our experienced players.”

This means that the likes of recent red card victim Sterling (against Ecuador), Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley might have to settle for a place on the bench, especially against Italy and Uruguay.

Although the former Liverpool boss stopped short about of saying his line-up will be. “I don’t intend to give too much away about team selection. It is good to have selection issues, options and choices. It shows you have enough players good enough to play for their country,” he said.

Hodgson, meanwhile, spoke positively on the fitness of captain Steven Gerrard, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who injured his knee against Ecuador, with the latter in line for England’s second Group D game against Uruguay.

“There is nothing wrong with Gerrard. Oxlade-Chamberlain did very well, you may have seen the running he was doing. Very positive, he was running so well and so fast and we will be stepping up his recovery in due course.

“A job for me to say when he will be back, medical matter. We are hoping for Uruguay but no guarantee.”

It seems that there will be no dramatic change in style, though, to England’s tactical approach, with the Three Lions set to adjust to the conditions of the Amazon heat in Manaus.