Glenn Hoddle insists that England have been drawn in ‘the perfect group’ for next summer’s World Cup.
Roy Hodgson’s men have been placed in Group D alongside Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy, and while former England boss Hoddle thinks it will be difficult, he maintains it could have been much tougher.
“It's a perfect group for us. There are easier ones out there but there are tougher ones too,” said Hoddle after the Three Lions had avoided the likes of Spain, Argentina and Germany.
“An easier group would have meant more expectation and more pressure, so we needed an edge to a group and possibly being third favourites in it.
“If we can get through it and beat a couple of good teams then it will stand us in good stead and we can get right into the tournament.
“It's good that we get that one in the jungle [in Manaus] out of the way, as that being in the middle would have made it difficult.
“Then we have Costa Rica, a team we should beat, as the card up our sleeve in the final group game. We've had a bit of luck and it's about time we got some in a World Cup.
“I think we can get out of the group, especially if the spine of our team remains fit,” he concluded.
Click here to see the full World Cup 2014 group stage draw and fixtures.
