Hodgson believes future is bright

Hodgson is expected to revert to a more experienced line-up for Tuesday evening's (Wednesday morning AEDT) testing 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Poland in Warsaw.

Skipper Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, James Milner, Ashley Cole and Jermain Defoe are all expected to return.

But the likes of Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck, who netted twice against San Marino last week, have staked their claim when given a chance by Hodgson.

It is part of the gradual evolution that has taken place in the squad since the woeful 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Hodgson said: "There are some very good young players coming on to the scene and the experienced players will find it harder and harder to fight off the challenge of these younger players.

"I think the turnover of players since the World Cup is (was) probably necessary. Players can't go on and on.

"In a country like England, it is good, without having a totally fresh start, that you do start thinking 'are there alternatives out there, is there a another route we could possibly take to achieve our goals.

"But it is good when they get a chance to play against Italy, Moldova and San Marino that they don't let the team down and play well enough to make us believe we should keep faith with them, and ask whether we should include them in the first team."