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England manager Roy Hodgson has stated that he is extremely happy with the fitness of star names like Wayne Rooney, who featured in the 3-0 win over Peru. This was one of the pretournament friendly matches for the England national team as they prepare to take part in the World Cup 2014. The team has not been firing on all cylinders in the last 12 months, but with a fit again Wayne Rooney back in the team, they put together one of their best performances in recent months with a convincing win over Peru.

Daniel Sturridge was one of the players on the scoresheet as the Liverpool striker continued his promising campaign in front of goal. Rooney has not played for club and country since April 26 when he last appeared against Norwich. He missed the last few matches due to a foot injury, which has worried the England camp ahead of the World Cup. This is because the national team has previously suffered injuries to key players at the start of every major tournament.

Rooney was subjected to a metatarsal injury just before the 2006 World Cup and the England team once again failed to get past the quarter-finals of the tournament. Hodgson, though, says that he is extremely happy with Rooney’s contribution in the Peru match.

“We think we know where he is in terms of how his fitness is being maintained or progressing. We took him and [Steven] Gerrard off tonight, both important members of our squad because we don’t have too many senior players in the squad, and 3-0 seemed an opportunity to give the younger ones a go. I don’t have any fears in that respect [of his fitness]. His attitude and commitment are first-class, even in a game of this nature,” said the England manager.

Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has said that England manager Roy Hodgson should consider including Southampton’s Ricky Lambert just for his penalty taking abilities. Hodgson is expected to name his provisional 23 man squad for the World Cup today. This is expected to spring a number of surprises with Ashley Cole being left out. Hodgson is expected to come out with a youthful squad for the World Cup with players like Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley being included in place of established internationals like Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard.

The inclusion of youth, though, puts more pressure on the established players during tense situations. Shearer, who has played several measures for the national team, says that it is also vital that England prepare for penalties in the best possible way. This has often been the place where England have been let down, but Shearer says that caution should consider taking Lambert for this reason alone. The Southampton striker has been impressive in the last two seasons with his goalscoring record, but he has also been one of the coolest customers from the spot.

Current penalty takers like Lampard have been inconsistent in the last few years. Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are the other regular penalty takers in the England squad.

“One of the reasons I would take Rickie Lambert is for that eventuality – how important have penalties been for England at major tournaments in the last 25 years? Lambert’s record from penalties for Southampton is amazing, but I would take him to Brazil on merit for his overall contribution. To have him on your team, knowing that if it goes to a shoot-out he is a virtual banker, is a great feeling for a coach,” said Shearer, who has little managerial experience apart from a few games at Newcastle.