Sunday 15 September 2013 18:10, UK
England coach Roy Hodgson is not worrying about the prospect of captain Steven Gerrard retiring from international football after next summer's World Cup.
Gerrard's performance in the 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Kiev was overshadowed by those of defensive duo Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka. Indeed, after spending so much of his reign discussing controversies surrounding John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, it is a relief for Hodgson to have another centre-half to talk about. "My year and a bit has been about two outstanding footballers, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand," said Hodgson. "People have questioned whether the alternatives I do have available could reach their level. "They have grown into the role. I would say if Gary and Phil could continue what they are doing at the moment in years to come you might be talking about them in the same way as you have been talking about John and Rio. "I was happy with them against Moldova, where they had to take a lot of responsibility and make an awful lot of passes, and I was happy with them against Ukraine because they were up against a very dangerous front three."
