• England

Hodgson has known World Cup squad for 'a while'

ESPN staff
May 5, 2014
Roy Hodgson insists any young player in his squad will be there on merit © Getty Images
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England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted he has known the squad of players he will take to the World Cup for "a while."

Hodgson will name his 23-man squad plus seven reserves on May 12, a day after the Premier League season comes to a close.

Speaking to the FA's official website, Hodgson, who on Sunday warned Manchester United's flops were not guaranteed a place on the plane to Brazil, revealed he has already decided the make-up of his squad - injuries permitting.

"I've known for a while," Hodgson said. ""[We need] to come away from that somewhat, in my opinion, frivolous idea that a coach watches matches week after week - works with players over two years and 25 games and then in the last couple of games of the season goes to watch a match and suddenly finds a player that had not played any point."

England face Peru in a friendly on May 30 before Hodgson is due to announce his final 23-man squad on June 2.

Several young players, most notably Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, have been tipped to make the final squad. While Hodgson indicated Euro 2016 is in his thoughts, the 66-year-old insisted all players will travel on merit.

"It [Euro 2016] is in the back of my mind but not in the forefront," Hodgson said said. "If there are young players in the squad it will be because they can do a job now.

"It will then be a bonus in 2016 as they will be experienced and hopefully that will serve us in good stead, but I don't intend to put them in the squad because of 2016."

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