England coach Hodgson has taken Wayne Rooney in protection. He did not think that the striker had his best time behind you, Roy Hodgson said. Brazil’s former superstar Ronaldo has criticized the government sharply. All messages for the World Cup at a glance.

England manager Roy Hodgson has taken Wayne Rooney against the recent public criticism. Among others had Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently declared that England could not rely on the star forward and questioned whether Hodgson had “eggs” for a waiver of the 28-year-olds.

Hodgson said he was strong enough to leave Rooney out there – but this will not do. “I’ll make the decisions that are necessary,” the coach said, “But I do not think it has its best time behind itself I believe in Wayne Rooney..”

Three Lions News:Steven Gerrard insists he can play alongside Frank Lampard

The Gerrard-Lampard midfield partnership has been the subject of substantial debate at every major tournament since their first together at Euro 2004.

Having played together in a number of faltering World Cup squads, it has been widely considered that they struggle to complement each other due to similarity, and both Fabio Capello and current manager Roy Hodgson have tried different combinations in midfield.

But ahead of England’s final home friendly against Peru on Friday, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was defiant.

“Gerrard and Lampard, is no-one bored of that one yet?” he said in a press conference alongside Hodgson on Thursday.

“I agree with Roy and I have said it many times on record that good players can play together and good players need to be able to adapt and take on a manager’s tactics.

“We don’t want a team of individuals who want do it alone.  The only way we are going to be successful as a team is if the combinations as a team work and we take on the manager’s tactics.”

Roy Hodgson hailed the efforts of his 30-man provisional squad during their preparations for Brazil so far, which have included training camps in Portugal and St George’s Park, and Gerrard echoed the sentiments of his manager.

“Everyone is pushing for places. The young lads, certainly, have done fantastically well and we have two great players fighting for each position,” he said.

“I don’t want to say we’re relaxed. We’re focused and prepared for whatever comes at us.

“This is England. It’s a group of players selected thoroughout the Premier League and we are going to play the Roy Hodgson way and the England way, and hopefully that’s a successful way.”

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