Hodgson keeps the faith

17 October 2012 15:50

England head coach Roy Hodgson kept faith with the side originally selected for the World Cup qualifier with Poland for this afternoon's re-arranged game in Warsaw.

Hodgson handed 99th caps to skipper Steven Gerrard and defender Ashley Cole who returned after being suspended and rested respectively for the 5-0 home win over San Marino.

Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, James Milner and Jermain Defoe were also back in the starting line-up as Hodgson made a total of six changes.

Defenders Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill and Leighton Baines, midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, striker Danny Welbeck plus the injured Theo Walcott made way.

The game was called off last night because of a waterlogged pitch but the retractable roof in the National Stadium was shut today for the re-arranged encounter.

Poland were also unchanged from the side initially selected by coach Waldemar Fornalik.

Source: PA