World Cup

Roy Hodgson may include young players in England's World Cup squad

By Subhankar Mondal, Reporter | 29 December 2013

England manager Roy Hodgson says that he could include a number of young players in his 2014 World Cup squad if they perform well this season.

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that he is open to the idea of including young players in his 2014 World Cup squad.

The Three Lions boss said that Everton's Ross Barkley and Ravel Morrison of West Ham United both are in contention to make his team for next summer's competition in Brazil.

"These two must realise we do have great faith in them and enormous admiration for their talent," BBC Sport quotes him as saying. "There is no problem with a lack of experience.

"[Morrison] has the quality, but he's going to find there is stiff competition from others, including Ross Barkley. Ravel has just broken into the Under-21 side, whereas Ross has been in the Under-20 and Under-21 sides over a period of time.

"We think they will be exceptional players, but they have got to perform week-in and week-out, and make sure they are on that team sheet. If they can keep more experienced players out of the team then, come May, their names will be in serious discussion."

Hodgson added that he could also include Liverpool's 19-year-old winger Raheem Sterling and forward Wilfried Zaha of Manchester United.

"You cannot ignore Raheem Sterling, who I saw playing brilliantly for Liverpool the other day, and [winger] Nathan Redmond of Norwich," he said.

"And you cannot forget Wilfried Zaha, who a few months ago was on everyone's lips. But you've got to be careful with names of young players who suddenly burst on the scene.

"This time last year Wilfried was suggested as a shoe-in for the squad, but he's been usurped by Ravel Morrison and Ross Barkley, and, who knows, their places might be usurped."

England have been drawn against Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy in Group D.