Roy Hodgson to rotate England squad; Lampard likely to lead England against Costa Rica

England manager Roy Hodgson looks to end a dismal World Cup campaign with a win against Costa Rica.

England boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed that he will be giving a chance to players who have not featured for England in this World Cup so far when they face surprise group leaders Costa Rica on Tuesday.

England fielded the same starting XI in their defeats against Italy and Uruguay and are likely to go with a new team against Costa Rica.

Only 15 men of their current 23-man squad have featured in Brazil and Hodgson is expected to start with an unfamiliar team as the Three Lions have already crashed out of the World Cup.

Speaking to the media, Hodgson said, “I’m going to be picking the team for Costa Rica with a view that all the players who are with us get some minutes on the field. I will be changing the team to give others a chance to show what they can do.”

“It’s not purely planning for the future and not purely sentiment. It’s to give players a chance to go home from this World Cup too early, bitterly disappointed but to be able to say they weren’t here to make up the numbers, they actually took part.” he added.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain will not be available as he has been ruled out of the entire group stage fixtures after sustaining a knee-injury in a warm-up game. Joining him is left-back Leighton Baines as he is out with a hamstring strain which will see Luke Shaw making his first competitive appearance for England.

England boss confirmed that Frank Lampard will lead the side instead of Steven Gerrard while Jack Wilshere, James Milner, Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana are also likely to start the game. It is also expected that Ben Foster will start between the posts ahead of their first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart.

As England will be looking to salvage some pride by bagging at least 3 points before heading home, Costa Rica are determined to continue their dream-run by winning against England.

Costa Rica just need a draw to claim top-spot in Group D to avoid Group C leaders Colombia in the Round of 16.