England boss Roy Hodgson should start Rooney, Sturridge AND Lambert up front
ROBBIE FOWLER believes England boss Roy Hodgson should start Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and former Southampton man Rickie Lambert up front at the World Cup finals.
Rooney and Sturridge - who scored a combined total of 44 goals last term - are almost certain to be Hodgson's first-choice striking partnership in Brazil.
I would play Lambert, Rooney and Sturridge as a front three
But Liverpool legend and former England forward Fowler believes Lambert should also start as the side's target man, with Rooney and Sturridge playing off him on the wings.
Lambert netted 28 league goal in the past two seasons for Southampton, earning him a return to his boyhood club Liverpool this summer in a £4m deal.
"I would play Lambert, Rooney and Sturridge as a front three," Fowler said.
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"I'm old school - I want to win games playing with excitement and getting people off their seats. I'd have Lambert as the focal point, and have Rooney and Sturridge playing off him as a three.
"Lambert gives you other options and I think that's probably what England lacked in a few of the games where Lambert has not played.
"Everyone wants to drop off and get the ball, and there's no-one behind the defenders.
"At least Rickie Lambert will stay up there, the ball will stick and it will give other players a chance to get forward."