Thursday, November 14, 2013

Joe Hart will not start for England against Chile

Joe Hart will not start for England in their international friendly against Chile on Friday, manager Roy Hodgson has said.
Hart, who has been England's unanimous choice between the sticks over recent years, was recently dropped by Manchester City after a series of mistakes.
Hodgson has now followed suit by admitting that Hart will not line up against Chile, although there is a chance the Three Lions boss could be experimenting with either Fraser Forster or John Ruddy owing to the fact that World Cup qualification is sewn up.
"Joe Hart won't be starting, you will have to work out for yourself which of the others won't," he said.On whether or not Celtic's Forster or Norwich's Ruddy will share time against the South Americans, he said: "John was with us from the beginning and I have had time with him and have had Fraser with us for over a year. I will make that decision on whether I choose both or one tomorrow."
Hodgson is without captain Steven Gerrard and defender Kyle Walker through injury, while he has also lost Southampton's Rickie Lambert at the last minute.
He has conceded that Frank Lampard will captain the side to commemorate recently passing 100 caps, while he said Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriquez would play a part.
"I don't want to get drawn into it (naming his team). I haven't spoken to the players about the team," he added.
"Frank knows and I have spoken to the Southampton boys and told them they will feature. That's all I'm going to say."
On striker Lambert, Hodgson said: "It happened yesterday in training. It's not a massive injury but a muscle injury that will keep him out on Friday."
Gerrard and Walker are expected to be back for Tuesday's meeting with Germany, while Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is also likely to duck out until then as he manages a problem.
"Gerrard and Kyle Walker won't be taking any part and that has always been on my agenda," Hodgson said.
"They will recover from minor injury problems that have plagued them and will concentrate on the second game and not the first one.
"Daniel has been doing some work and the chances are he will be spared for the second game."
Hodgson said he would put giving players a chance to prove themselves ahead of ensuring England's unbeaten run at home continued.
England's next match after this week is not until March, meaning there is little time for experimentation before he names his World Cup squad.
"I've got to put the performances in front of protecting an unbeaten run," he said.
"I do need in these two games to have a look at one or two players, as who Frank [Lampard] rightly said are heavily knocking on the door.
"There's only these two matches plus the one in March to do that. I can't dismiss the need to give some playing time to people we need to know more about.
"I'm not trying to play down the importance of winning games, but I'm not going to do it if it will be at the detriment to have a look at some players. I need to be wiser in March with regards to some players than I am now.
Lampard admits friday night's game will be a specuial occasion as his 100th cap is marked.
The Chelsea midfielder will walk onto the pitch with his daughters while, at his own behest, his father Frank senior will also be involved alongside Sir Geoff Hurst.
"It will be very special obviously," he said.
"The cap has been a long time coming. The idea of Sir Geoff was an FA idea that I was very happy with considering I've had links to all my life, my dad knowing him and what an England hero he is.
"I requested my dad be involved because there is not many international fathers and sons. It's the sort of thing he'd normally shy away from but with a bit of pressing he's managed to get out there. I think he will be a proud dad."

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