Senior England players such as John Terry and Steven Gerrard are running out of time in the national side as young talent emerges, England coach Roy Hodgson has warned.
Terry, 31, and Gerrard, 32, both played 90 minutes as England came back from 2-1 down to beat Sweden 3-2 in Friday’s game, but the goals were scored by young talents Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck.
“There’s something coming along that’s going to move that generation on,” Hodgson said, adding that he welcomed the extra competition for starting places.
Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad attracted some criticism for its emphasis on youth, with 22-year-old Liverpool defender Martin Kelly picked ahead of Rio Ferdinand and his 21-year-old teammate Jordan Henderson a controversial choice in midfield.
Hodgson took care to praise the older players for their role in the win over Sweden.
“The back four once again were very good, Terry and [Joleon] Lescott in particular, against a Swedish team that can ask a lot of questions of you,” he said.
“Steven Gerrard, the captain, gave yet again another captain’s performance.”
England play co-hosts Ukraine on Tuesday in the knowledge that a draw will be enough to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
