Glen Johnson hopes England will end tournament hoodoo in next World Cup

England defender Glen Johnson is hopeful the nation can finally end their major tournament hoodoo and go beyond the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

He added: "They could play their third team and still be very competitive in each major tournament. They have got some unbelievable players. "Some players don't stay around as long as they should do, but the next one that steps in will be just as good so they are always fun to watch." Before England board a plane to South America, they play what promises to be an entertaining friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Wednesday night. Should Johnson take to the pitch he will earn his 47th cap, edging him closer to his half-century. The former Chelsea defender has pretty much made the right-back position his own since Gary Neville last played an international game in 2007. While rival Kyle Walker has had an indifferent season at Tottenham, Johnson has excelled at Liverpool under new manager Brendan Rodgers, and he now believes he is playing the best football of his 11-year professional career. "Most people say I'm hitting that age where I should be at my prime so I am pleased with how things are going," he added. "I only missed two games in the Premier League this year and that's nice."