Hodgson expected to ring changes

Hodgson expected to ring changes

Published Oct. 15, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Roy Hodgson could change more than half of his team when England travel to Warsaw for Tuesday's key World Cup qualifier against Poland.

The England boss appears set to bring in up to six new players after Friday's 5-0 win over San Marino, with several experienced men available again.

Ashley Cole, Joleon Lescott and James Milner were rested at Wembley and could be recalled to the starting line-up, the latter for Theo Walcott, who went off with a chest injury after clashing with San Marino keeper Aldo Simoncini.

Glen Johnson is available after suspension and, with Kyle Walker suffering from a knock, should return at right-back, while Lescott appears set to oust Gary Cahill from the heart of defence.

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Captain Steven Gerrard is also back from a ban and appears in line to replace Tom Cleverley in central midfield but, with Frank Lampard still struggling with a calf injury, Michael Carrick will keep his place.

Danny Welbeck scored two against San Marino but Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is understood to have got the call to lead the line instead, with Wayne Rooney again in a free role behind.

Poland have beaten England only once - back in 1973 - but their hopes of a rare victory have been dented by injuries to captain Jakub Blaszczykowski, as well as first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, defender Lukasz Piszcek and midfielder Eugen Polanski.

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