World Cup qualifying preview: England v Ukraine

11 September 2012 08:40

After brushing aside Moldova, England's qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup begins in earnest with the visit of Ukraine on Tuesday.

Roy Hodgson's England made a flying start in their bid to reach the next FIFA showcase in Brazil, as they cruised to a 5-0 win over minnows Moldova on Friday.

Frank Lampard netted twice, his first goal from the penalty spot in just the third minute of the match, while Jermain Defoe, James Milner and Leighton Baines also scored, the latter two claiming their first strikes at international level.

The hosts proved no match for their heavyweight guests at the Zimbru Stadium, Chisinau, but Ukraine are unlikely to prove similar pushovers.

England were outplayed for the majority of their Euro 2012 Group D match against Ukraine in June, although Hodgson's men ultimately prevailed 1-0 thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal.

The tournament co-hosts enjoyed the bulk of possession at the Donbass Arena, Donetsk, and were denied a legitimate goal as the referee and his assistants failed to see a Marko Devic effort had crossed the line before John Terry cleared.

Following that injustice, Ukraine are likely to be on a revenge mission when they arrive at Wembley Stadium this week.

Oleg Blokhin's team will be without the retired Andriy Shevchenko, while England are missing both Rooney and Terry through injury.

Terry's Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole is also out, meaning Baines will continue to deputize at left-back.

Another Chelsea defender, Gary Cahill, could come in for Terry at centre-back, although Everton's Phil Jagielka is a candidate to partner former club colleague Joleon Lescott, now at Manchester City.

Sunderland winger Adam Johnson is another player to be sidelined, meaning Hodgson will either keep faith with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a wide role, or perhaps opt for his more experienced Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott.

The match at Wembley will be Ukraine's first of the qualifying campaign, they were held to a 0-0 draw in an international friendly against the Czech Republic in their most recent outing last month.