Hodgson restless ahead of crucial Poland tie

Roy Hodgson revealed he will endure a restless night ahead of England’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Poland.

The Three Lions boss will oversee the biggest match of his career at Wembley on Tuesday night, knowing that securing all three points will guarantee England’s place in the next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.

England’s confidence will be high after beating Montenegro 4-1 on Friday, but their convincing win will count for nothing if they drop points against the Poles.

With Group H rivals Ukraine, who currently sit in second-place, expected to beat San Marino, England will be condemned to a tricky play-off tie that could see them pitted against France if they fail to win the final game of their qualification campaign.

Hodgson was calm and collected as he addressed the media, but the England boss admitted he does not expect to get much sleep ahead of the tie.

"It won't be my best night's sleep because at the moment all of my waking thoughts are around England versus Poland," Hodgson said.

"I am a worrier. I still feel the tension and focus.

"It's not that you are worried the team is not capable, it's just that you are worried something untoward might happen."

Hodgson added that there is little doubt in his mind that his men are capable of delivering the result against Poland, especially following their drubbing of Montenegro last week.

Having entered the tunnel at half-time without a goal on the scoresheet, Hodgson’s men blew the visitors away after the break, with Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and debutant Andros Townsend in particular staring in a convincing display.

And the former Liverpool and West Brom chief insisted his side will approach the game with confidence.

"I have great faith and trust in the players," he said.

"I don't think I can be putting a stronger bunch of players, a more confident bunch of players, onto the field.

"I won't be particularly satisfied if we don't win and know that we go in to the play-offs.

"The attitude will be one of: ‘This is our game, our stadium, these are our fans, we are a good team and we are going to win’. I am pretty sure that is how they will approach it."