Roy Hodgson must carry on as boss, insists Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere insists England’s players are behind Roy Hodgson continuing as manager despite failing to win a game in Brazil.

The team were due back at Luton this morning after playing out a goalless draw against Costa Rica at the Estadio Mineirao here. One point and two goals from three matches left England bottom of Group D and Hodgson facing searching questions over his future.

The Football Association insist Hodgson retains their unequivocal backing and Wilshere is adamant the 66-year-old should be allowed to carry on into the qualification campaign for Euro 2016.

“It is not the manager’s fault,” said the Arsenal midfielder. “The manager can pick the team but the players have to go on the pitch and do it. Everyone here respects the manager. He has got a fantastic CV and been to World Cups before.

“If anything comes out of this, it is that this manager is the one to take us forward. Even if we had won against Costa Rica, we would have been disappointed. We are going to wake up every day wondering ‘what if?’ but we have to get over it.

“We have got a big qualifying campaign coming up for the Euros and a big Premier League season. We will grieve in the next couple of weeks and then we will move on.”

Steven Gerrard, 34, and Frank Lampard, 36, are considering whether to retire from England duty in the coming weeks and Ross Barkley has urged the next generation to take up the mantle if the pair do step aside.

“Obviously, I want them to carry on but if they don’t, the younger lads have got to step up and be able to take responsibility,” he said.