England up and running but Terry in doubt for Ukraine

Moldova 0 England 5

Hodgson revealed he offered Terry the chance to exit England’s 5-0 win over Moldova last night 20 minutes from time after he suffered an ankle injury.

With all England’s substitutes used, the 31-year-old typically declined.

In the end, he was forced off anyway, meaning he is now a major doubt for England’s second stop on their road to the World Cup.

“I’d liked to have taken him off, and we did suggest we’d play with 10,” said Hodgson.

“He’s a warrior though, so he poo-pooed the suggestion he should come off with 20 minutes to go.

“He took a kick on the ankle in the first half and then twisted it slightly when he landed in front of the bench in the second half.

“They’re assessing him at the moment.

“It’s obviously not a very serious injury, but every knock is important with only three days between games.”

At least England have a ready-made replacement in Terry’s Chelsea team-mate Gary Cahill, who only made the bench last night as Joleon Lescott was preferred.

Indeed, Hodgson was able to deliver some good news, dismissing the half-time departure of skipper Steven Gerrard as “a precaution” before revealing Ashley Cole, who missed last night’s game with an ankle injury, trained yesterday and could rejoin the squad when they meet in Watford tomorrow.

Terry apart, it was a good evening for Hodgson.

England’s biggest away win since their 7-1 defeat of San Marino in 1993 was launched by two goals from Frank Lampard, who has now scored 25 times for his country.

“Frank was excellent,” said Hodgson.

“Quality is permanent, and that’s proved itself time and time again.”

Jermain Defoe increased England’s lead before the break.

Then, after taking some time to get going in the second half, James Milner and Leighton Baines found the net to complete a comfortable victory against a poor Moldova outfit, who looked every bit their status of 141st in the FIFA rankings befits.

“I am very pleased,” said Hodgson.

“It’s the first match in a qualifying group for a World Cup, which is always a nervous occasion.

“You’re always concerned you’ll not produce the performance you want, or the result, but we got off to the best possible start and controlled the game throughout.

“I don’t think the scoreline flattered us.

“Sometimes 5-0 victories do, but not today.

“Now we have a couple of days to prepare for the next one.

“Tuesday is against one of the teams who could be one of the favourites to win the group.

“I hope the recovery time is sufficient and the players can muster their strength again to give another good performance.”

MOLDOVA: Namasco, Armas, Epureanu, Bulgaru, Golovatenco, Sergei Kovalchuk, Sergei Kovalchuk, Gatcan, Onica, Suvorov (Dedov 46), Patras, Picusciac (Sidorenco 76), Sidorenco (Ovseanicov 85).

ENGLAND: Hart, Johnson, Lescott, Terry, Baines, Milner, Lampard, Cleverley, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Walcott 58), Gerrard (Carrick 45), Defoe (Welbeck 68).

Ref: Paul van Boekel (Geboren).