Johnson faces late fitness test

TOE NIGGLE ... Glen Johnson

ROY HODGSON will give Glen Johnson a late fitness test before deciding whether to play him against Montenegro.

Johnson, 28, hoping to win his 46th cap, is still suffering with a long-standing toe problem and struggled at the start of training last night.

Kyle Walker, who played in the 8-0 battering of San Marino on Friday night, has been put on stand-by.

Ashley Cole is expected to start for England tonight although Leighton Baines featured at left-back for a big chunk of yesterday’s session at the City Stadium.

Skipper Steven Gerrard and Michael Carrick are set to anchor the midfield although Hodgson may still put Scott Parker alongside the Liverpool star.

England go into the game two points behind the Group H leaders.

Hodgson, whose team have drawn against Poland and Ukraine, said:
“Montenegro have benefited from two very good results.

“They beat Ukraine away and they beat Moldova away which has given them an advantage over us.

“But I don’t think their tactics vary that much anyway, they are reliant on the
quality of their front players.

“Then they feel they mustn’t concede too many at the other end.

“We have prepared for that and when the players go on the field they will have a pretty good idea of how Montenegro like to play.”