Impressed: Welbeck has got his chance having scored against Belgium

Hodgson’s work at England’s Krakow training HQ yesterday suggested he will take a cautious approach to the wide positions, with James Milner and Stewart Downing likely to start.

He was pleased with the performance of Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Wembley but feels the game against France, who have a  21-game unbeaten record, is more likely to require experience.

It means he’ll also plump for the big-match experience of Manchester City’s Premier League title- winning defender Joleon Lescott alongside John Terry at the heart of defence ahead of Everton’s Phil Jagielka.

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