Jordan uses Russia pain

JORDAN Henderson believes England are now better equipped to overturn Croatia than they were at the World Cup and has urged his team to use the memories of their heartbreak in Russia tomorrow.

A win over Croatia will see England reach their second semi-final in the last four months, as they take on the side who crushed their Would Cup dreams in July. A scoring draw or defeat, however, will mean relegation to the second tier of the Nations League.

England started their campaign with defeat to Spain but, after gaining a gritty draw in Croatia and a superb win against the Spanish in Seville last month, have their fate in their own hands.

Henderson said: “We have been outstanding, especially against Spain. I thought the lads were brilliant. Those are the types of games we need to be winning against big teams like that. Sunday is a huge opportunity to do that again. We can use the experience we had in the World Cup and in those other big games.”

Henderson believes the agony of semi-final defeat in Moscow can be used positively at Wembley tomorrow.

He said: “It’s not that easy to put that game out of our minds. Deep down you will always have it there, because it was a huge moment for all of us to lose that game.

“It is always inside but we have bounced back brilliantly and won some big games, especially in the last camp. This is another big test for us, against a good side.

“Yes, it is win or bust but that is what we want – we always want to win, no matter who it is against.”