Hodgson issues reality check to England's young players

WARSAW, Poland (AFP) - Roy Hodgson told his emerging generation of players that despite the 5-0 mauling of San Marino in their 2014 World Cup qualifier last Friday they face a battle to displace the senior players for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Poland on Tuesday.

Hodgson will bring back Liverpool's Steven Gerrard as captain after he was suspended for last Friday's tie, while Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole, James Milner and Jermain Defoe are all in contention despite being overlooked at Wembley.

Certainly the likes of Manchester United's Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck (who scored twice against San Marino) plus Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (who scored the first England senior goal of his career) have impressed in recent matches.

Wayne Rooney too looked an able captain in Gerrard's absence.