Roy Hodgson has urged England's footballers to continue the feelgood factor of the nation brought upon by the Olympic Games.
England return to Wembley for the first time since Euro 2012 when they tackle Ukraine in Tuesday evening's World Cup qualifier. Fifteen of the Team GB medallists at this summer's games will be presented to the crowd at half-time.
Hodgson said: "They have been such a success for the nation. It is terrific they can come and be paraded at the game tomorrow. It is nice for us to see the British people are still prepared to get behind their athletes. We as a sporting nation have profited enormously from the Olympic Games."
England will be missing some key players for tonight's game and have made some surprising selections in this campaign. Terry, Cole, Parker, Barry and Rooney are all highly experienced players that will be missing, whilst both Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott are both rated doubtful with a virus that will hopefully not spread throughout the camp.
Head to head, England are completely dominant with an 80% win ratio: P5 W4 – D0 - L1 F8 - A2
Head to Head - Last :
Date: 19/06/12 – EURO2012 - England 1 – 0 Ukraine – England Top Group – John Terry Clearance – Controversial disallowed Goal. Wayne Rooney scores on return from 2 match ban.
Date: 10/10/09 - WC 2010 - Ukraine 1 – 0 England – First defeat under Capello. Rob Green red card. Robert Green became the first England goalkeeper to be sent-off. David James replaced Aaron Lennon.
Date: 01/04/09 WC 2010 – England 2 – Ukraine 1 – Crouch, Terry score. - At 23 years and 159 days, Wayne Rooney became the youngest player to win 50 caps for England. He beat the record previously held by Michael Owen by 20 days.
Date: 18/08/04 International – England 3 – 0 Ukraine. Beckham, Owen, S.W.P score.
Date: 31/05/00 International – England 2 – 0 Ukraine. Fowler, Adams score.
Current Form:
Post Euro 2012 – England have managed to play 2 games prior to this game. A 2-1 win over an Italy side, and a 5-0 drumming over Moldova.
Ukraine have managed the one game vs Czech Republic, a goalless draw occurred.
England have not lost at Wembley in their last 6 games, with 4 victories and 2 draws coming from them. With only 3 goals conceded and 15 scored, England have made Wembley some what a fortress.
Match Facts:
England captain Steven Gerrard will win his 98th cap, 12 years after winning his first in a friendly against Ukraine at Wembley. He is also 1 goal away from his 20th international goal.
Jermain Defoe holds the record for the most appearances as a substitute, with 32.
Raheem Sterling was a surprise inclusion by Roy Hodgson for the squad vs Ukraine, at just an age of 17 years and 275 days, he could well be on his way to breaking a few England records – most notably Youngest Goalscorer. Held by Wayne Rooney at, 17 Years, 317 days.
Ukraine have just won 1 out of their last 6 games. A 2-1 win over Sweden at this summers EURO 2012. They have lost to France, as well as England. Most recently the Czech republic held them to a 0-0 draw.
Away from Kiev, Ukraine have managed to only win 1 out of 5 games. It is hard to judge Ukraine as a side from recent performances, as they did not have to qualify for EURO 2012, they only participated in friendlies.
Probable England Line-up: Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Lescott, Baines, Lampard, Gerrard, Milner, Cleverley, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Defoe
Probable Ukraine Line-up: Pyatov Husyev, Mikhalik, Khacheridi, Selin Tymoshchuk Yarmolenko, Garmash, Konoplyanka Devic, Zozulya
Top 10 England goals of all time
Source: DSG
