Captain fantastic: Steven Gerrard (centre) will lead England out against Norway on Saturday

He was more ‘curious’, understandly ‘proud’. And he tackled the issue of allowing certain players to take what seems an unnecessary break. Why aren’t John Terry and Rooney here when they have not played since May 13?

‘Terry did train all week coming up to the Champions League final,’ he said. ‘With Wayne it was more a question of the injury he’s been playing with. I thought I’d give him the opportunity to get that injury out of the way. If it doesn’t go well for us at the Euros I’ll be hanged for whatever I’ve done, but I felt that was the best option.’

So many options, so little time. When Hodgson took the Swiss to the 1994 World Cup, he did so after ‘24 or 25 games’. Not quite the same as 25 days.

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