Roy Hodgson: 'Everyone is fit and ready to face Ireland'

Saturday 06 Jun 2015
Hodgson and Rooney spoke to the press at Aviva Stadium

Roy Hodgson says he has a full squad to pick from - but did not give away his starting line-up for Sunday's game in Dublin.

He and his 23-man group arrived in Ireland on Saturday afternoon and headed straight for the Aviva Stadium where their meeting with Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland side will take place.

Following a walk around the pitch at the impressive 51,000-seater venue, Hodgson and his captain spoke to the press about the fixture less than 24 hour away.

Republic of Ireland v England

International Match
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
1pm Sunday 7 June 2015
Live on ITV 1

The Three Lions boss expressed his disappointment for Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason, who pulled out of the squad on Friday due to injury, before being replaced by Tom Cleverley. 

He said: "Naturally I am not prepared to shed any light on the starting line-up and I will leave it as a surprise. 

"I think it is nice for people to speculate and a bit boring if I announce it [in advance]."

Hodgson has been happy with the fitness of his players two weeks after the Premier League season finished. 

Roy Hodgson and Wayne Rooney speak to the press

They have spent the last few days training at St. George's Park in preparation for this friendly match and the Euro 2016 qualifier in Slovenia next week.

A special mention went to fit-again Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere, FA Cup winners with the Gunners last week, who have missed much of the season due to injury.

"The fitness levels are good and everyone is well after three very good, intense training sessions – you wouldn't notice the difference to training from the start of the campaign to the end, which is a credit to the players. I have no fears on fitness levels."

He continued: "It's great to see Theo back from injury. He has been part of our thinking for the past three years and it's nice we have him now fully fit, in good form and confident after a fine end to the season.

Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere checks out the Aviva Stadium

"Jack's a very enthusiastic and eager player who plays with a confidence, which is a delight to see and a delight to work with. 

"He has been unlucky [with injuries too] as, like Theo, there have been moments we haven't been able to use him."

While Hodgson did not reveal his full team to face the Irish, he did confirm that skipper Rooney would start.

The Manchester United man is targeting an unbeaten international season after eight games without defeat, including seven wins, since the start of the campaign in September.

And Rooney believes the Ireland encounter will be as exciting as November's win in Scotland.

Wayne and Roy

Roy and Wayne look ahead to England's first game in Dublin for 20 years

"Our form over the past year has been fantastic and we want to carry that on," said the captain.

"This is another big challenge and should be another good atmosphere, like the Scotland match.

"Although there are no points at stake it will be the same [approach] against Ireland and we want to give a good performance and win the game. 

"We have some young very inexperienced players and the game can help some of the younger players as they will look forward to it. 

"It will be a special atmosphere and should be a good game of football. We are well prepared, we know it will be tough, but that's the challenge for us."

Rooney is also closing in on Sir Bobby Charlton's 49-goal England record: "It could come [in this match] or in four or five games. I am just concentrating on this game and the one next week. 

"It will be great if and when it comes, but first we want to finish the season well with two victories from two tough games."

Hodgson was also asked if he had a message for the travelling England fans who head to Dublin with their team for the first time in 20 years. 

That last meeting at the old Lansdowne Road ground was abandonded after 27 minutes due to crowd problems.

Rooney

The England players walk around Sunday's venue in Dublin

"That was a particularly bad time for English football and I'd like to think in 20 years things have moved on and things are considerably better. 

"All we are interested in is playing a very good game of football and the test we need before an important qualifier a week later.

"The last thing we want to be doing is talk about [off the field] incidents after the game and we hope our fans behave themselves and don't provoke the Irish fans either."

The FA has also urged fans to Follow England Away in the right way. To read more click here.

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor In Dublin