• England

Hodgson rings changes as Rooney and Gerrard sit out

ESPN staff
June 23, 2014
Frank Lampard will decide his international future after the World Cup © Getty Images
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England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed a much-changed starting XI for Tuesday's World Cup match against Costa Rica.

With their elimination already confirmed ahead of the final Group D match, the Hodgson promised to rotate his squad in Belo Horizonte.

Lampard to wait on England future

  • Frank Lampard says he will wait until his return from the World Cup before he decides his international future with England.
  • Manager Roy Hodgson hopes the midfielder will remain available for selection but, like England captain Steven Gerrard, Lampard wants to take time to mull his decision over.
  • "I don't know whether I will [retire] or not," Lampard told BBC Radio 5Live. "I am going to get home and make a decision at that point because I have my own [club] future to sort out as well.
  • "This is not the time and place to make the decision. Sometimes when you are away for a month you don't always come up with the right judgement."

Hodgson revealed Gary Cahill and Daniel Sturridge will be the only survivors from last week's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay, with captain Steven Gerrard being replaced by Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney also sitting out.

"Well, Ben Foster will play in goal,'' Hodgson said. "The right-back will be Phil Jones. Gary Cahill will play centre-half alongside Chris Smalling, and Luke Shaw will play left-back.

"In midfield we will have Milner, Lampard, Wilshere, Barkley, Lallana and Sturridge will play up front.''

Despite the changes, Hodgson is confident his side can win the match, one which they need a positive result from to avoid becoming the first England side to lose all three World Cup group games.

"With a very different team and a lot of players who haven't played in the tournament so far, I wanted everyone to go home from this tournament - or at least as many as possible - having taken part and played in a game, not just training,'' he said.

"We're very conscious of the fact that our fans are as disappointed and devastated as we are, but they are still here supporting us.

"We came into the hotel and received a lot of sympathy, kind words from them and we really want to make certain tomorrow night that they see something tomorrow that they can take some encouragement from.

"Most importantly of all, it's a top-class international on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup, so anything else than taking the game very seriously and trying to win the game in its own right would be out of the question."

Hodgson confirmed the extent of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's injury setback means he will not feature at this World Cup.

"Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took part in a full session yesterday, but twisted his knee which caused him pain. So he is out of the question," Hodgson said.

Hodgson also revealed the pain he and his squad have suffered due to their early exit, but believes he will gain plenty from seeing a much-changed team step up to the challenge.

"I've learned how painful it is to build up your hopes, to see a lot of good preparation proved to be to no avail because it didn't get us where we wanted. I've realised that, at this top level in a World Cup, it's unforgiving.

"A moment really of sheer misfortune can throw everyone into a realm of despair that you didn't know was possible.

"Tomorrow's game will tell me a lot about the players. It's been a very tough few days and it's hard to pick yourselves up for a game that, even if you do well in, serves no purpose.

"The 100 cap players will find that hard. We'll learn a lot about the others. I've liked what I've seen around the hotel and in training. I'm now giving them the opportunity, not because I can, but because this is a good team on the field and they can go and win the game. I hope they prove me right."

England XI to face Costa Rica: Ben Foster, Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, James Milner, Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge.

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