ROY HODGSON has told Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling they have blown their chances of starting against Slovakia on Monday.
The ruthless England chief dragged the pair off when England were trailing to Gareth Bale’s 42nd minute free kick in Lens.
Super subs Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge saved England with second half strikes to put them top of Group B.
Now Kane and Sterling must wait for another chance as Hodgson prepares to make big changes against Slovakia.
England’s head coach said: “Players have to prove their worthiness and sometimes the ones that you are convinced about before the tournament because they will be a big hitter for you, turn out not to be.
“Then someone who might just be playing a part in helping you do well, he turns out to be the big hitter.
Related Stories
“Our strikers need to be challenged. They need to accept that. I would like to believe that none of them are so arrogant that they sit there and think their place is absolutely guaranteed in the team: ‘This lot can’t threaten me.’
“I would be very upset if that was the case because I see them in training every day.
“There’s a lot of quality strikers and even the young ones have qualities.
“The Rashfords, the Jamie Vardys with only four or five international caps, they have got qualities.”
Kane barely got into the 1-1 draw with Russia last Saturday and was subdued against Wales at Stade Bollaert on Thursday.
Sterling, who earned his place in the side with his performances in the warm-up games, looks shot to bits.
Hodgson added: “Harry and Raheem did well enough against Russia, we played very, very well but in the first half they showed signs of wear and tear and having played that game, so it was quite an easy decision at half time to change it.
“We’ve taken a lot of attacking players with us on this occasion so the options are there.
“I’m looking behind me on the bench and thinking: ‘who do I want? Do I want Sturridge on? Vardy? Rashford?’”
Leave a comment