Theo Walcott is expected to lead the line-up for England, owing to his impressive performances in a similar position for the Gunners this season, which included an assured and determined showing during their win over arch rivals United.
Advertisement
England play host to Estonia on Friday night knowing they have already secured a spot at the European Championships next summer with their 100% record still intact.
The chance to train with England’s established stars wasn’t the only shock of the day for the Toffee’s Under 21 star though, with England captain Wayne Rooney giving him a motivational pep talk.
England’s Theo Walcott celebrates after he scored a goal during the Euro 2016 Group E qualifying soccer match between England and Estonia at Wembley stadium in London, Friday, October 9, 2015.
Roy Hodgson has put England’s pristine qualifying record for Euro 2016 in proper perspective by suggesting he and his coaching staff “are not deluding ourselves” about the team’s progress since last year’s disastrous World Cup.
“We hope he does for us what I’ve seen him do for Arsenal”, Hodgson added.
“We are not in an experimental mode, we think we’ve done enough experimenting”, he said.
Hodgson also has Liverpool striker Danny Ings, Harry Kane of Tottenham and Leicester’s Jamie Vardy in the squad for the two fixtures.
“He’s got a lot of important Man United games ahead and I would be devastated if we pushed him out there and something happened to increase, if you like, the problem he has with the ankle”.
Hart insisted he also wanted to play in the Lithuania game – which will be on a plastic pitch in Vilnius – and said: “I want to play both matches but I am not the manager”.
“You have to play properly and give the opposition hardly any chances and be patient and keep working”.
“I didn’t expect it whatsoever and that was the best part about it. I was planning on visiting family back home but this is another massive moment in my career and another marginal gain”.
“I don’t think just because I’ve got the armband on I should necessarily change and start ranting and raving at people”.
“If he doesn’t, we’ll have to be alive with our thinking”.
Gary Cahill was relieved to get a victory in his first game as England captain and felt they were full value for the win.
Advertisement
“We need to use him like we did today as one of the three midfield players”.
