England Football Team

England manager has welcomed the selection problems handed to him after Friday’s win over San Marino as he prepares to pick a team to face Poland.

The Three Lions’ 5-0 victory at Wembley came despite the absence of a number of Hodgson's more experienced players, and he now has some thinking to do ahead of tomorrow night’s game in Warsaw.

He said: "We try to utilise the squad for the two games and maybe keep some players back from the San Marino game.

"We have a lot of players who didn't play against San Marino available tomorrow night so have quite a good option.

“Unfortunately we didn't recover Frank Lampard or Ryan Bertrand but other than that we have a full squad to choose from and quite a few players who didn't take part at all against San Marino."

Leighton Bainesimpressed starting ahead of Ashley Cole, while Danny Welbeck made the most of getting the nod over Jermain Defoe with two goals in the win.

Hodgson added: "There are quite a few selection decisions and that's good to have.

"I'd prefer not to quantify them or put them in any order, but it's good that the players who came in against San Marino who people did not see as first choice played well.

"You do get more a selection headache, but all coaches will tell you selection headaches are what we're after."

Several youngsters produced star turns on Friday.

Welbeck bagged a brace while Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain capped a fine performance by scoring the final goal.

But Hodgson was keen to impress upon the younger generation that they must earn their place in the international side by proving themselves with their respective clubs.

He added: "If they want to take over then they'll have to play very well because some of the experienced players are still very keen to play football at this level for as long as possible.

"They'll have to make certain they are better than the ones who have been doing the job.

"It is nice to know we are producing some players now who will challenge, will continue to improve, will mature with time and the matches they can play.

"My only fear is the usual one of hoping these talents can get enough game time.

"It's always nice to have experience in your team and it's also quite nice sometimes to have some younger players in the team.

"Experience is important and we do have, at the moment, a good balance between youth and experience but the key tomorrow night is nothing more complicated than playing well."

Hodgson has been pleased with England's performances away from Wembley since he took the reins earlier this year but has promised they are not about to rest on their laurels.

He said: "They've played well and we've had some good results but the past is the past and the good results or the good performances in the past doesn't guarantee a good performance or a good result in the future.

"We always start from a situation where there are three points up for grabs and 95 minutes or so to play.

"That's the way we'll continue to look at every game until such time as this qualifying campaign is over."