All smiles: Hodgson is hopeful Rooney will re-discover his best form in England's last-eight clash with Italy

The forwards were attacking the back four with great intensity, and understandably so.
Hodgson knows the team need to attack with more fluency and pace than they have done so far, even if the positives of their three performances far outweigh the negatives.

Milner and Young were ordered to provide from the flanks but also to form a more compact midfield designed to meet the challenge presented by Italy.

After a brief reshuffle, Hodgson had Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson overlapping with their respective wingers. The only change of note was at centre half. Joleon Lescott arrived early for treatment at the training ground and did not feature that much in the main part of the session. Phil Jagielka stepped in, although yesterday Hodgson reported that all his players were fit. Luck obviously comes into it but the FA's medical staff are clearly doing a grand job.

« Previous12345Next »