Monday 14 October 2013 16:00, UK
England will not let the security blanket of the play-offs distract them from booking their World Cup ticket at the first attempt, manager Roy Hodgson insists.
The entire 22-strong England squad was present and correct when they arrived at London Colney to undergo light training on Monday. And ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes England's best chance of beating Poland and earning an automatic berth in next year's Finals is to continue where they left off against Montenegro on Friday and play the same attacking style which earned them victory. Speaking to Sky Sports News reporter Nick Collins, Parlour said: "It's all about how they start, the tempo and pace of the game. "They created lots of chances the other night. They need to play a similar sort of way, attacking football, then I don't think there will be a problem." Parlour believes that Andros Townsend, who enjoyed an excellent debut against Montenegro, scoring one goal and creating another, should start against the Poles. "He deserves to play," Parlour added. "He scored a great goal and was always a threat on the right-hand side. "He delivered good crosses into the box although Hodgson could take the safety option - by picking James Milner - but after that performance it is difficult to leave him out." On a replacement for the suspended Kyle Walker, Parlour said: "Phil Jones is the likely replacement, maybe Chris Smalling, but Jones is more defensive-minded and with Leighton Baines (the other full-back) an attacking player Jones would have to cover the centre-halves. And he's never let England down before."
