Cole, Baines on equal footing: Hodgson
18 Nov 2013 5:58 AM IST
Cole, 32, has been England’s regular number three since 2001, amassing 105 caps, but he has come under increasing pressure from 28-year-old Baines and was recently dropped by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Hodgson has confirmed that Cole will start in Tuesday’s friendly against Germany, Baines having played in the 2-0 loss to Chile on Friday, but the England manager says he no longer sees Baines as a mere understudy. Asked if the pair were ‘50-50’ rivals, Hodgson Wif you want, yeah. They’re both very good players and I’m happy with both of them.
‘There may come a time in the future as we play our first game in Brazil (at the World Cup) where they’re both fit, both anxious to play, I need to pick what I think is my best team, and I have to choose between them.
‘But that isn’t the case here in November. That day will come in June and until then, I’ll hopefully keep them both playing well and playing for England.
‘I’ll push forward the decision as to who is actually the number one and who’s the number two until I really have to,’ added Hodgson.
Hodgson has confirmed that Cole will start in Tuesday’s friendly against Germany, Baines having played in the 2-0 loss to Chile on Friday, but the England manager says he no longer sees Baines as a mere understudy. Asked if the pair were ‘50-50’ rivals, Hodgson Wif you want, yeah. They’re both very good players and I’m happy with both of them.
‘There may come a time in the future as we play our first game in Brazil (at the World Cup) where they’re both fit, both anxious to play, I need to pick what I think is my best team, and I have to choose between them.
‘But that isn’t the case here in November. That day will come in June and until then, I’ll hopefully keep them both playing well and playing for England.
‘I’ll push forward the decision as to who is actually the number one and who’s the number two until I really have to,’ added Hodgson.
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