ROY BACKS GERRARD

The England manager Roy Hodgson has said that he believes that the Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard can continue playing for England for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The influential midfielder is coming to the twilight of his career, and he will be 34 years of age before the start of the World Cup. This is usually the period when most of the players consider retiring from international football in order to focus on their club careers. Hodgson, though, believes that Gerrard will have the capability to carry on playing despite turning 34 years of age.

The midfield recently received an award for passing 100 caps for the England national team. He is just 15 appearances short of the record set by David Beckham for the most number of appearances made by an outfield player. Hodgson believes that Gerrard will be able to achieve this incredible landmark at the 2014 World Cup. Gerrard made his debut for the national team is a 20-year-old back in 2000. During this time, he has managed to score 19 goals and lose just 13 matches. He has not only been an influential member of the Liverpool team, but also for the England team as well according to Hodgson.

"I can see him playing for many years to come, the only thing that could stop him would be a serious injury. God forbid, because he can deal with anything else. He is young enough in his body and mind to look certainly towards 2014 and maybe beyond. Steven understands he has the full respect of myself, the coaching staff and players. All we can hope is a guy like him stays around for even longer," said Hodgson. The England manager will have a tough match against hosts of the World Cup Brazil when they face each other in a friendly match.