Hodgson wants players released

Roy Hodgson hopes clubs will follow Chelsea’s lead and allow their England internationals to return early from post-season tours.

Chelsea stars Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole have been given permission to return early from their tour of the United States.

It remains to be seen if Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will follow suit in the lead-up to England’s friendlies at home to Republic of Ireland and away to Brazil.

“We are grateful for that, it would be nice if Man City do the same. I don’t know whether they can,” Hodgson told Sky Sports when asked about Chelsea’s decision.

“It would also be nice if, for the game in the Bahamas, maybe the couple of Tottenham players that are in the squad didn’t have to play and had the chance to rest up. Of course, I don’t get to make those decisions. That will depend on the club coaches but they could certainly do us a favour if they wanted to.

“I know that the players I have selected are very keen to come; I can only hope that they are able to survive injury in these games.

“If not then I will have to turn to some others because I left some quite good players out of this squad so I’m not short of reserves.”