Lallana to make way for Sterling

Allianz Riviera stadium, tonight. “Players win matches, not managers and coaches,” said Hodgson yesterday.

“You hand the game over to the people who matter: the players.”

Hodgson accepts that defeat against Iceland – the smallest nation ever to reach a major finals – would almost certainly mean the end of his England tenure.

At the very least, he is expected to take England as far as the quarter-finals, where France will be waiting at the Stade de France after they came from behind to beat Ireland 2-1 yesterday.

However, Sterling’s inclusion means there is no room for Adam Lallana, above, one of England’s better performers so far at the tournament – and Premier League champion Jamie Vardy will once again be on the bench.

Captain Wayne Rooney, who is restored to midfield alongside Dele Alli and Eric Dier, said Sterling has the mental strength to take the game to Iceland in a three-pronged attack with Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane.

“For me, from what I’ve seen, his state of mind is fine,” said Rooney. “He has been normal around the camp. What we’ve seen on the training pitch of Raheem Sterling, he’s been fantastic – sharp, taking players on, scoring goals.

“There is no issue with Raheem at all. His attitude isn’t questioned. He stays behind after training doing what he does normally.

“He’s a huge asset to us as a team, a fantastic player and one who can turn the game in a split-second.

“If anyone is questioning his attitude or state of mind, they would be mistaken in having that judgment.”

England are heavy favourites to reach the last eight. Iceland’s population is 165 times smaller and their FIFA ranking 23 places lower, but Rooney would not downplay the task.

“We’re not going into this game showing a lack of respect for Iceland,” he said.

“The size of the country is just a number. They put the same number of players on the pitch as us, so it’s a fair contest in that respect.”