ENGLAND MANAGER Roy Hodgson praised Ireland goalkeeper David Forde following their 1-1 draw at Wembley in Wednesday’s friendly.
Ireland took the lead in the 13th minute from a Shane Long header before Frank Lampard scored his 29th international goal to equalise 10 minutes later.
Hodgson paid tribute to Millwall shot-stopper Forde, who pulled off some terrific saves to keep his side level.
“Ireland worked really hard, it would be churlish to begrudge them the draw really,” Hodgson said. “But I’m a bit disappointed really because I thought, during the second half in particular, we played some good football and we created the chances, especially those two golden opportunities (for Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain).
“All credit to the goalkeeper (David Forde), when it was necessary he came good. There are a lot of positives.”
Hodgson, however, bemoaned the loss of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, who injured his ankle in a first-half incident with Glenn Whelan, but was relieved the 23-year-old had not suffered a break.
“Sturridge is ruled out of the Brazil game unfortunately,” Hodgson said. “We’ve had an orthopaedic surgeon look at him. He’s had the scans, the good news is that there’s no break or fracture but there’s obviously some other damage.
“We’ll have to get in touch with Liverpool and let them know how serious the injury is and they’ll have to assess that. I’m hoping it won’t keep him out for too long and when the autumn season comes around he’ll be fit and available again.”
