YOUNGSTERS GET CHANCE

The new England manager Roy Hodgson is looking to give a number of younger players a chance in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with a view of preparing them for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Roy Hodgson recently announced the squad that will be taking on Moldova and Ukraine in the World Cup qualifiers. Even though he used a number of experienced veterans like Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard in the friendly match against Italy, he has called up a number of youngsters for these two matches. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Butland are the two prominent names to be included in the squad for these two matches.

This coupled with the absence of Wayne Rooney means that Roy Hodgson will have only one fit striker at his disposal in the form of the Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe. Andy Carroll has played very little football in the last few months, but he has been included in the squad as well. However, it is expected that Roy Hodgson will begin the match with Jermain Defoe up front. Ashley Cole was a major absentee in the match against Italy, but he is now called up once again. Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand is also included in the squad.

England will be travelling to Moldova on Friday, followed by the visit by Ukraine on Tuesday. This is extremely crucial matches for the England manager Roy Hodgson, who only managed to get to the national team to the quarter-finals of the Euro 2012. However, expectations will be much higher this time around and England need to start of the World Cup nullifying campaign in the best possible manner in order to avoid any possible problems towards the end of the campaign. England’s next World Cup qualifiers will be in October when they face San Marino and Poland.