The Three Lions boss believes the side will have to win all three of their home matches and avoid defeat away to Ukraine in order to book their place in next summer’s World Cup

Roy Hodgson has set his England side a target of 10 points from their four remaining 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The Three Lions currently sit second in Group E, two points behind leaders Montenegro with a game in hand, and take on Moldova at Wembley on Friday before travelling to face Ukraine next Tuesday.

With Montenegro and Poland set to visit in October, the former West Brom boss believes maximum points on home turf and a draw in their one remaining away trip will be enough to secure qualification.

“I would say we need 10 points from four games as long as we don’t lose to Ukraine and we beat Montenegro,” the 66-year-old told reporters.

Hodgson confirmed that in-form Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is unavailable for Friday’s match due to injury, offering Rickie Lambert another opportunity to shine, after hitting the back of the net within minutes of entering the field on his debut against Scotland.

“We won’t know until training on Sunday if Daniel Sturridge will be fit for Ukraine game,” he admitted.

“Steven Caulker also turned his ankle in training and will be out of game against Moldova, but should be ok for Ukraine.

“We’ve not been lucky with injuries, we’ve lost five players, but it’s an opportunity for others and up to them to do a job.

“I have picked the team and Rickie Lambert will start. He deserves a chance.

“I can’t deny had Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge had been available, it would have been harder for him to get a starting place but I am more than happy to have a player of his calibre to start this game.”

Captain Steven Gerrard was in an optimistic mood ahead of the double-header, and suggested a strong performance similar to last September’s 5-0 win in Moldova would set the side up for a morale-boosting pair of results.

“The quality of the squad is fantastic and the manager is happy with the way we have prepared,” the Liverpool midfielder explained.

“The game in Moldova was won at half time. Hopefully we can do the same tomorrow, we are confident we can get job done.

“We’ve still got to beat Moldova and be professional against them at Wembley. Two good performances can lift the country.”

The 33-year-old was particularly hopeful that Sturridge returns in time for the trip to Kiev, with his Liverpool team-mate having scored the winning goal in all three of the Reds’ Premier League games this season.

“The stage is set for Daniel, fingers crossed the injury settles down and he’s available for Ukraine as he makes us stronger,” he concluded.

The 33-year-old intends to start taking his coaching badges with a view to going into the dugout after his playing career is over and would love to take charge of the Reds

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed his aim to go into management once he hangs up his boots and dreams of taking over at Anfield one day.

The 33-year-old continues to play an integral role for the Reds on the pitch but is already planning for life after retirement by commencing work on his coaching badges within the next year.

“The dream come true would be to manage Liverpool, when the Liverpool job becomes available,” he told TwentyFour 7 Football.

“There are world-class managers there ready already but we’ll have to wait and see; it would be the icing on the cake.

“When you get to a certain age, my age, you need to start thinking seriously about a life after football.

“I am planning on doing my badges and qualifications over the next 12 months. I definitely see myself as a manager rather than a coach but that could change.

“I remember speaking to Jamie Carragher and he really fancied it but he’s decided media is what he wants to do. It’ll be strange seeing him on Sky but I’m really delighted he’s doing it. He can leave managing Liverpool to me!”

The England skipper has two years remaining on his current contract and has previously spoken of his intention to finish his career at the club where he has spent his entire professional career.

After keeping Luis Suarez and attracting a number of new players, the former Germany midfielder believes that his old club are not far from launching a Premier League title charge

EXCLUSIVE
By Jamie Dunn

Dietmar Hamann believes that Liverpool can target a place in the Premier League top four after a successful summer in the transfer market.

The Anfield club brought in defenders Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori on deadline day, as well as completing the loan signing of Victor Moses from Chelsea.

Brendan Rodgers had already attracted Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Simon Mignolet and Aly Cissokho to Merseyside and, with Luis Suarez soon to return from suspension, Hamann thinks that his former side are close to a return to their former glory.

“They’ve given themselves a chance because, last year, they had a terrible start to the season [but] top of the league now, haven’t conceded a goal yet and, with Suarez coming back, you expect them to score more goals,” Hamann told Goal.

“If they keep the defence as tight as it is, I think the top four is a very realistic target.

“They’ve bought two centre-halves, [Martin] Skrtel came back into the side but, in midfield, they have to make sure [Steven] Gerrard and Lucas stay in one piece because they’re vital players to the team.

“Other than that, I think they’re only one or two players away from being a top, top side and, with the squad Brendan Rodgers has built there, if they continue to improve the way they have over the past 12 months, then I wouldn’t rule out Liverpool being a competitor for the Premier League title in the next four or five years.”

Liverpool have started the season with three consecutive victories in the Premier League, most recently defeating rivals Manchester United at Anfield.