Hodgson faces nervous wait over Terry injury

Published on 09/09/2012 00:00

England manager Roy Hodgson was able to reflect on a job well done in Moldova on Friday, but his team did not come through their trip to Chisinau completely unscathed.

Hodgson is anticipating bad news on John Terry’s ankle injury and, with the Chelsea man also expected to face his Football Association hearing before October’s double-header, his future availability is a matter of debate.

Terry has denied a charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a match last October, having been cleared of any wrongdoing in the courts in July.

The blow of possibly losing Terry would be softened for Tuesday’s Wembley encounter with Ukraine by the availability of Gary Cahill, whom many felt would have partnered Terry anyway.

And the potential for Ashley Cole winning his 99th cap after an ankle injury is also positive news.

Even more importantly, England have slipped into a pleasant groove.

It may have appeared little has changed since Euro 2012.

However, first against Italy in Berne, then in the 5-0 win at the Zimbru Stadium, there were signs they have moved on a great deal.

Tom Cleverley’s performances behind a lone striker have been a revelation. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain provides a different option out wide. Leighton Baines was an able deputy for Cole at left-back, whilst Frank Lampard underlined the contribution he can still make at the age of 34.

Beyond even that though, against limited opposition, with the result assured after half an hour, Hodgson was delighted how well his players maintained their focus.

“Even at the end there was no casual play,” he said. “I don’t feel we made that many bad decisions. I would have been more than happy to win it 2-0 or 3-0 but generally speaking, I thought it was a thoroughly professional, thoroughly disciplined performance.”