Roy Hodgson: England know what to expect from predictable Wales, they are all talk

ROY HODGSON has hit back at Wales ahead of today’s Battle of Britain showdown and told them talk is cheap.

By Jeremy Cross, Chief Sports Writer

UNCHANGED: Hodgson is likely to choose the same eleven against Wales

Chris Coleman’s side go into the crunch clash top of Group B clash following their win over Slovakia and Hodgson admits all the pressure is on his Three Lions - who only managed a draw against Russia.

Underdogs Wales have spent the build-up to the crucial encounter in Lens taunting England.

Star man Gareth Bale claims Hodgson’s side are arrogant and don’t have as much passion and pride as the Welsh.

The Real Madrid ace stuck the boot in even further after claiming not one single England star would get into Coleman’s side.

But Hodgson insists Wales are all mouth and that his Three Lions will do their talking on the pitch.

He said: “It surprises me that people are focusing on the talking.

“If we really took it seriously, thinking about what people in the other team are saying, and allowed it to affect our concentration, we’d be very ashamed of ourselves.

“I’m surprised those questions are coming our way. Talk is talk. Action on the field is action on the field.”

Hodgson has also labelled the Welsh predictable and added: “They’ll play as they have for a long time.

“We don’t anticipate any vast changes in their style of play or personnel.

"We won’t be surprised by their line up or what they try and do when they have the ball or don’t.”

Skipper Wayne Rooney insists Wales have been wasting their time mocking England and that his side have just blocked it all out.

When asked if it was all aimed at getting under his skin theManchester United ace said: “I’m sure you’ll have to ask the Wales players that.

“We’ve just been preparing for this game as we always do, behind closed doors.

“All the information we need we’ve covered on the training pitch or in meetings.

“I’m sure you’ll have to ask the Wales lads what they mean by the comments, because they’ve come out with them. We’re just focused on preparing for the game.”

Hodgson is expected to name an unchanged side and is willing to give Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling another chance to make an impact.