Hodgson happy to make 2014 playoffs

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed he would be happy to qualify for the 2014 World Cup via the playoffs.

Draws against Ukraine and Poland have seen his new-look side fall two points behind Group H leaders Montenegro, but the former Liverpool manager said he would be satisfied to reach Brazil by any means necessary – should the Three Lions not secure top spot in the group.

England welcome the Samba boys to Wembley in February to celebrate the FA’s 150th anniversary, before travelling to San Marino and the group leaders.

And Hodgson admitted that finishing in the top two is now the priority.

“If we don’t succeed in being number one, I’d be more than happy to go into the playoffs,” he told the BBC.

“The important thing is we get one of those two positions. The group we are in was quite underestimated, but that is often the case.

“They don’t need motivation, they need to perform, and then we need that little bit of luck all teams need if they are going to get over the line.”

The England coach is currently in South America assessing training complexes should his side reach the tournament in 2014.

The Brazilian FA announced that England would play at the Maracana stadium in June next year, although the FA refused to comment, with the ground currently undergoing substantial redevelopment having been scheduled as the venue for the World Cup final.

And Hodgson is eager to play at the iconic venue where England won on their last visit in 1984, courtesy of John Barnes’ wonder goal and Mark Hateley’s strike.

“If we got here we would believe in ourselves, we would think that we have a good chance,” he said.

“Most coaches would love to have that on their CV – that one of the games they were involved in was against Brazil in the Maracana, the holy ground.”