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Hodgson: Gerrard has England future beyond World Cup

ESPN staff
February 23, 2014
Steven Gerrard could carry on playing for England in a much deeper role © Getty Images
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Roy Hodgson has admitted that Steven Gerrard could carry on playing for England after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Gerrard previously stated he would wait until after the tournament before deciding his international future, but Hodgson believes he could be utilised in a deeper midfield role.

England boss Hodgson stated Gerrard could play a part in his squad's qualifying games for Euro 2016, but it would ultimately be up to the Liverpool midfielder to decide his future.

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"I don't know if he necessarily couldn't [play beyond the World Cup]," Hodgson said.

"He will be 34 in May so he will be getting on for 36 [by the start of Euro 2016], so I think a lot will depend on him and how he feels, and depend on how he is playing. At the moment there has been no slowing down in his play.

"Who knows what the future will bring. I don't have a strong feeling about that one way or another. Time will tell.

"He has played that [deeper] role for Liverpool and for us as well in one or two games and it went well.

"These days, teams have a degree of fluidity so, even though [Liverpool] may start him deeper with Coutinho and Henderson further forward, in reality Steven still gets forward and Henderson drops in.

"So I think a player like Steven, who is such an all-round player, will give you good attacking work and good defending work. Whether that spares him running or not, I don't know. Sometimes you think he is not doing as much there but you might be surprised."

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