Raheem Sterling and Hart left out of England squad

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Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling are going to miss the next England games due to injury. Both players have been injured during the Manchester derby on Sunday. Raheem Sterling suffers from a groin injury while Joe Hart is suffering from a calf problem. Both players are expected to be absent for four weeks.

On the other hand, Danny Drinkwater is reaping the benefits of Leicester surprising season and has earned his first selection with the England team. Aged 26, the former Manchester United youth team player is set to compete with the likes of Dele Alli, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana for a place in midfield.

Roy Hodgson has been impressed by Drinkwater’s contribution to the rise of Leicester and is set to give him some playing time in one of the two games. The England manager wants to see whether Drinkwater will be able to replicate his Leicester performance with the England team.

With Carrick likely to miss the Euro finals and with Wilshere still injured, Danny Drinkwater has an excellent chance to make it to the Euros provided he can maintain the form that he has been showing so far this season. This would be a formidable reward for a player that has given everything for Leicester this campaign. (more…)

Alan Pardew believes that England manager Roy Hodgson should use his winger Wilfried Zaha

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Alan Pardew believes that England manager Roy Hodgson should use his winger Wilfried Zaha as his wild card option at the Euro 2016.

England go into the competition flush with confidence, which has been acquired after a brilliant qualification campaign. However, there is a fear of England being found out in this major competition as has been the situation in recent decades. After going into major tournaments as favourites, England have flattered to deceive. They have failed to get past the quarter final stage of any major tournament in the last two decades.

This time around, the presence of many new faces ensures that there is a hint of unpredictability surrounding England. Other teams, however, will be able to learn about the players by looking at the qualification campaign. Pardew says that England should have a wild card in the squad and this element of surprise is important in such a big event. The Crystal Palace manager has identified Wilfried Zaha as the perfect choice for this job. Even though Zaha has been a winger in his career, Pardew says that the former Manchester United man has the ability to make a big impact while playing through the middle. Ironically, this is where England appear to be the strongest. (more…)

Mark Hughes claims that defender Ryan Shawcross may have to start performing

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Stoke City manager Mark Hughes claims that defender Ryan Shawcross may have to start performing for club before thinking about international action under Roy Hodgson.

Shawcross made his debut for England three years ago, but his international appearances have been restricted despite his impressive performances at club level. He does not appear to have quite convinced the manager Roy Hodgson especially in the face of competition that includes players like Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill. These are players representing top clubs and Shawcross will find it difficult to get into the England team right now according to Hughes.

The impressive performances of Shawcross cannot be more aptly demonstrated by the fact that the club are chasing a fourth consecutive clean sheet when they take Sunderland this weekend. Stoke City have been unable to make huge inroads into the league table largely because of their troubles upfront. The club has averaged less than a goal per game. This is significantly lower than several teams around them. However, they have also conceded less than a goal per game. This is actually one of the better records in the Premier League with only the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester United being capable of a better record. (more…)

Roy Hodgson has confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney will not be part of the starting line-up

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Roy Hodgson has confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney will not be part of the starting line-up against Spain.

This is one of the several friendly matches lined up for the England national team as a preparation for the Euro 2016. Rooney has not been in great form for the last couple of months and it makes sense to try out new players for the national team. It is highly anticipated that Tottenham forward Harry Kane will be starting the game. Kane has been in fine nick over the last few weeks. After ending the goal drought with a rebound effort against Manchester City, Kane recently scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth.

Hodgson says that he is expecting better performance from the 21-year-old, who has always delivered for the national team whenever he has been selected. Spain are not the force to reckon with they were once, but even then, England are expected to give them a lot of respect. Vicente del Bosque will be fielding striker Diego Costa, who has been woefully out of form for club and country, despite pressures to go for the likes of Alvaro Morata. Rooney has scored seven goals in the last eight appearances for England, but he will only start the game against France a few days later. (more…)

Roy Hodgson believes that new Manchester City signing Raheem Sterling is Good for Success

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England manager Roy Hodgson believes that new Manchester City signing Raheem Sterling has what it takes to become a success for his new club and that he can live up to his £ 49 million transfer fee.

The former Liverpool winger has antagonised a lot of his supporters at his previous club mainly because of his desire to join City. The move, however, was not a smooth one since Liverpool were not interested in selling him. Sterling had to force his way out of Anfield and this meant a lot of public interviews against the club. As a result, the 20-year-old found himself at the backlash of many fans during the pre-season tour.

Hodgson, though, says that Sterling has enough quality to cope with the pressure that comes with a massive transfer fee his shoulders. The England international has become the most expensive player in City’s history – surpassing the likes of Sergio Aguero and Yaya Touré – and he has a lot to live up to. Sterling reportedly turned down a £ 100,000 per week offer from Liverpool in order to join City. His decision appears to have been made with the prospect of winning titles in mind. The massive wealth allows City to challenge for all trophies. (more…)

HODGSON WILL STAY

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Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says that his England counterpart Roy Hodgson is still likely to be the national team boss of the Three Lions. Redknapp appears to be still aggrieved at the fact that he did not get the job despite being branded as the overwhelming favourite a few years ago.

Redknapp and Hodgson were direct contention for the England job just a few weeks after Fabio Capello had left the team in a dire state. The Italian left the role just a few months before the start of the Euro 2012. This meant that Hodgson, who became the eventual successor, did not have enough preparation time. (more…)

WALCOTT STILL BELIEVES

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Theo Walcott says that he is confident Arsenal will be able to bring back the glory days of the Invincibles. Arsenal remain as the only team in Premier League history to have won the league title without suffering even a single defeat over the season. A number of clubs have come close to matching this achievement.

Chelsea are probably the closest club to have come close to beating the record since the 2003-04 season. The Blues suffered only three league defeats throughout last season and ended up being the champions. Arsenal finished 12 points adrift of Chelsea, but Walcott is confident that the gunners will reclaim the title once again. (more…)

BAINES RULED OUT

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Everton will be without defender Leighton Baines for much of the pre-season tour of the Far East after the club revealed that the left back had undergone an ankle surgery. Roberto Martinez has already stated that Baines has been suffering from an injury to his left ankle for several years.

However, he has been unable to correct them due to a consistent run of matches for club and the international team. Baines went under the knife towards the end of last season. This forced him to miss the last two games of the league, while also being unavailable for England duty during the Euro 2016 qualifying game against Slovenia. (more…)

Roy Hodgson says that he has not closed the door on a return to international football

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Roy Hodgson says that he has not closed the door on a return to international football for striker Andy Carroll, who has been suffering for form and fitness ever since completing a permanent move to West Ham United.

The national team is currently rich with a long list of top strikers. The likes of Charlie Austin have also been knocking the door, which makes it extremely difficult for Carroll to return to the national team. The 26-year-old has managed only seven goals in the last two seasons. This form is not sufficient for him to be selected for the England team.

The national team is at a crucial stage whereby Hodgson has to come up with a strong team capable of winning the Euro 2016 or even reaching the latter stages. Doing well in this competition is extremely important for the national team due to their disappointing World Cup. England have had a strong set of results since the qualification campaign started. This, again, makes it difficult for Hodgson to bring the changes in the team. The former Liverpool striker has managed to appear in nine internationals for England, but he has managed only two goals in these matches. His last goal for England was in 2012. (more…)