WATFORD (AFP) - Roy Hodgson has admitted his concern ahead of England's crucial World Cup qualifier with Poland, saying he anticipates a sleepless night before Tuesday's match at London's Wembley Stadium.

Friday's 4-1 home win over Montenegro means that if England beat Poland they will remain top of European zone Group H and qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.

But with group rivals Ukraine expected to beat San Marino, anything less than three points is likely to condemn Hodgson's side to a two-legged play-off.

Poland will arrive at Wembley knowing their own chances of World Cup qualification ended with last week's defeat by Ukraine.

However, Hodgson rejected suggestions that Poland had "nothing to play for" at Wembley ahead of arguably the most high-profile match of his long managerial career.

"I'm a worrier. I think anyone who works in football is a worrier," Hodgson told reporters at England's hotel in Watford, north of London, on Monday.

"It won't be my best night's sleep because at the moment all of my waking thoughts are around England versus Poland.

"On the other hand, I have great faith and trust in the players. I don't think I can be putting a stronger bunch of players, a more confident bunch of players, onto the field.

"But football is not a science. If it was a science and based on logic and science, I think we would be 99 per cent there.

"But it's not, it's a game and things can happen in games that you don't really want to happen and that's what makes you worried.

"It's not that you are worried the team is not capable, it's just that you are worried something untoward might happen."