World Cup

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Attendance: 39,800

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 14, 2014 at 11pm UK

England
1-2
Italy

Sturridge (37')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Marchisio (35'), Balotelli (50')

Roy Hodgson not set on starting XI for Italy game

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 20 May 2014

England manager Roy Hodgson insists that it is too early for him to settle on a starting XI for their opening World Cup game against Italy in Manaus on June 14.

England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that there are still places in his starting lineup for their opening World Cup game against Italy up for grabs.

The Three Lions play the side that knocked them out of the 2012 European Championships first up in Group D on June 14, in the tropical climate of Manaus.

Hodgson and his 23-man squad, plus John Stones and Jon Flanagan from the standby list, are currently preparing for the tournament with a warm-weather training camp in Portugal.

While plans are being put into place for the Italy match, Hodgson has insisted that it is too early for him to have made a final decision on his starting XI as form and fitness are likely to be factors.

"I have many ideas but no firm ideas," he told reporters. "Not yet. I don't need to do that yet. We are a long way off. I don't know how the players are going to be performing in three or four weeks' time. I don't know how their fitness will be either."

Hodgson's men return to England on Friday, a week before their friendly with Peru at Wembley.