Skip to content

England manager Roy Hodgson highlights step up in facing Italy in Turin

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 27:  Roy Hodgson the manager of England looks on before the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between England and Lithuania at Wembley Stad
Image: Roy Hodgson: Set to shuffle the pack in Italy

England manager Roy Hodgson has hinted he will field several fringe players in Tuesday's friendly with Italy in Turin.

England continued their flawless Group E campaign with a 4-0 rout of Lithuania on Friday and now travel to face Euro 2012 finalists Italy, who are expected to provide a much sterner examination of Hodgson's side.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Harry Kane scored 79 seconds into his England debut from the bench as Roy Hodgson’s men beat Lithuania 4-0.

The 67-year-old told FATV: "We've got a tougher test ahead of us against Italy and we will be playing that game with players we wouldn't normally rely upon.

"There are an awful lot of people in the squad I count on that we've lost, but what it means is for those who are still with us, many who are relatively untried, there will be a chance for them to show that my faith in selecting them for this squad was justified.

"The real test against tougher opposition will be when the qualifying campaign is over.

"When the qualifying campaign ends - we believe we'll be qualified in October - then we have two very important friendlies in November, two important friendlies in March, certainly in May.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Roy Hodgson described Harry Kane's debut as a fairytale start

"Hopefully we'll get really quality opposition to play us in those matches which will really put us seriously to the test. There are a number of players who quite seriously believe they should be in the team and none of them will be in Italy.

More from Italy V England

"Italy and Ireland (in June) will be to some extent experimental and a chance to break in to what we think is our best XI."

Hodgson manager Internazionale between 1995 and 1997 and is well accustomed to Turin, where his side were twice beaten by Juventus in the league but scored a famous 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over the Bianconeri.

"I didn't have many happy moments in Turin," Hodgson said.

"Juventus were clearly the best team in the country during my time with many, many star players. Apart from one cup victory which we had there, invariably we didn't get the results we wanted.

"But I'm happy to be going back to Italy as a country and I'm happy to be playing Italy again."

Around Sky