Euro 2016: England boss Roy Hodgson ready to hand Daniel Sturridge the job of blasting England to group stage glory
Three Lions must beat Slovakia to guarantee top slot – and a supposedly easier Euro route – in the latter stages
ROY HODGSON is ready to hand Daniel Sturridge the job of blasting England to group stage glory tomorrow night.
The Three Lions must beat Slovakia to guarantee top slot – and a supposedly easier Euro route – in the latter stages.
Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge are competing to be named up front
And after his goalscoring heroics in Thursday’s come-from-behind win over Wales, Sturridge – who replaced Harry Kane at half time - looks set to get the nod as leader of the attack.
Hodgson didn’t go so far as to admit he will make changes – but he did give a broad hint, after Sturridge and Jamie Vardy had such an impact when they came from the bench for the second half in Lens.
The England chief revealed: “The players are in good shape and it won’t be a problem if I want to keep the same side - but at same time there others who have been knocking hard at the door,
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“I have spoken to Harry, who has been very, very good in training over the last couple of days. I don’t think he has been suffering any more than any others players.
“But as far as Jamie and Daniel are concerned, they did very well and I’m sure would like another chance. It’s a decision that has to be made.”
Wayne Rooney is certainly relishing the chance to supply the bullets for England’s heroes against the Welsh.
Marcus Rashford made a difference after coming on against Wales
The skipper has shone in a deeper role, and thinks the main issue is creating the openings, rather than who is there to finish them off.
Rooney insisted: “They’re great to have in the squad, everyone’s seen the quality we have.
“We know we have people who can come on and change things, as happened in the Wales game.
“They are goal scorers and if they get chances, they’ll score them. It’s important we give them the opportunity.”
Wayne Rooney is clearly enjoying life as a central midfielder
Hodgson's contract expires at the end of the tournament in France, with England on the brink of reaching the last 16.
The Three Lions will top Group B with victory against Slovakia in St Etienne on Monday after a last-gasp 2-1 win over Wales on Thursday.
Greg Dyke said Hodgson's contract is likely to be renewed if England impress in France, but Hodgson remains focused on Slovakia.
"It's been raised many times before, it doesn't make any difference one way or another," he said at a press conference.
"My contract runs out after this tournament, that's fact everyone has known about for the last two years. On a regular basis it gets brought up - should I stay, do I want to stay, what should the FA do?
"Nothing changes in that respect. For myself and the players there is only one thing on our minds and that's to win the next game and see how far we can go.
"We concentrate on what we can do and what we can do is work very hard in our preparation for the game we are about to play. One day, after our stay here ends, the FA will need to make a decision with what they want to do in regards to the future."