Strike duo set to provide boost for Hodgson

Posted Thursday, October 03, 2013 by Foxsports.com

England boss Roy Hodgson is likely to have two in-form strikers at his disposal for the crucial final Group H matches.

Daniel Sturridge missed the last two qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine through injury while Wayne Rooney missed Manchester United's Champions clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night after suffering a kick on his shin by Danny Welbeck in training on Tuesday.

But Sturridge has been flying for Liverpool in recent weeks and United manager David Moyes confirmed following the Red Devils' 1-1 draw that Rooney is likely to feature against Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

Rooney and Sturridge have scored 12 goals in 15 matches between them this season, and they are both almost sure to start against Montenegro if they come through their club games this weekend.

That will come as a relief to Hodgson with England on shaky ground in their quest to qualify for Brazil.

The Three Lions are one point ahead of Ukraine and Montenegro so only two wins will guarantee Hodgson's men automatic entry to the finals next summer.

Ukraine are expected to win their final two qualifiers against Poland at home and San Marino away, so in all likelihood if England collect four points, they will be destined for the play-offs.

If they fail to win against Montenegro a week on Friday, and Poland four days later, then their World Cup dreams will almost certainly be over.

Ordinarily, England would be expected to win at home against both nations, but their only qualification victories so far have come against one of the world's lowest-ranked teams in San Marino and against Moldova, who are sandwiched between Tanzania and Guyana at 129th in the rankings.

Montenegro gave England a real fright in March when they put on an impressive second-half display to earn a 1-1 draw.

Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic dismissed England as an arrogant bunch of long-ball merchants in the run-up to that match.

He has seen his country achieve three draws against England and he hopes to go one better at Wembley next week.

"There are very few teams that can boast such a record against the English," he told a press conference in Podgorica.

"This gives us pride. Hopefully we can continue that trend, or even better it at Wembley."

Rooney, Sturridge, Phil Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all injured for the goalless draw against Ukraine last month and Danny Welbeck missed out through suspension.

All of those players except Oxlade-Chamberlain are available now although Theo Walcott is missing after undergoing stomach surgery.

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert looks set to be recalled after he scored against Crystal Palace at the weekend and in defence Steven Caulker may get another call-up after his fine early-season form for Cardiff.

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster will surely be recalled as competition for Joe Hart following his heroics against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.